From left, Executive Director Erica Flores, Matt Sowers, retired Flagler Schools ESE teacher Suzanne Haibon, Board of Director Hector Flores, Vincent Cona, volunteer Eddie Velasquez and Alex Calder. Photo by Brent Woronoff
Photo by Brent Woronoff
SIERRA WILLIAMS STAFF WRITER
Palm Coast invites residents to annual Holiday Market
The annual Palm Coast Holiday Market will be held on Dec. 7 from 4:30 p.m. to 9 p.m. at Town Center in Palm Coast.
The market is one of the highlight events of the Fantasy Lights Festival and is hosted in partnership with the Rotary Club of Flagler County, a city press release said.
The event is free and will also feature several activities as part of the Fantasy Lights Festival, which begins on Nov. 30 with the city’s tree lighting ceremony: Santa’s Village and Snow Nights at Santa’s Village.
The 19th annual lights festival will have 56 animated light displays set up around the lake at Central Park and will be open nightly through December, the press release said. The market is a great way for residents to support local businesses, Acting City Manager Lauren Johnston said. “Palm Coast is the perfect place to celebrate the holidays, and we’re thrilled to invite residents to the Holiday Market and Fantasy Lights Festival,” she said.
Research begins for potential municipal animal shelter
Flagler County resident and animal lover Cameron Orr said he first began volunteering with local animal shelters after his wife convinced him to volunteer by dog walking with her.
Now, Orr is one of about a dozen volunteers running the informal local organization Animal Refuge of Flagler — or “ARF.” Orr and several other ARF volunteers are traveling the state to a dozen other counties to gather data on what it would take to form a municipal animal shelter.
In lieu of having its own animal shelter, Flagler County, Flagler Beach, Bunnell and Palm Coast all contract with the Flagler Humane Society for animal services. For all but Palm Coast, that includes animal control and retrieval services.
Palm Coast has three dedicated animal control officers of its own, but still sends its animals to the Flagler Humane Society.
In August, former and current volunteers at the Flagler Humane Society showed up at Palm Coast City Council and Flagler County Commission meetings with a host of concerns about the shelter: overcrowding issues, mismanagement and a lack of transparency and a lack of euthanasia protocols.
It’s true the Flagler Humane Society is overcrowded and underfunded. At a joint meeting with Palm Coast and the Flagler County Commission in August, Executive Director Amy Carotenuto told the officials the Flagler Humane Society had over 90 dogs, but just 56 kennels, and the cat colony rooms were also at capacity. Those numbers do not account for the exotic pets the shelter takes in like birds, rabbits and snakes.
Since then, the Flagler County Commission and Palm Coast have begun exploring what it would take to create a county-run facility. But before it can get far off the ground, the city and county need data to understand what it would cost to build and run.
That’s where Orr comes in. He said he was asked by Palm Coast Acting City Manager Lauren Johnston and Chief of Staff Jason DeLorenzo to help them gather the necessary data. He and ARF volunteers have spent
the last week reaching out and traveling to municipal shelters in counties both near Flagler County and ones that are of a similar size. Orr said he asking for a large variety of data: the operational costs, employment needs and costs, the cost to build the shelter, how many kennels each shelter has.
Ideally, he said, a future municipal shelter would work with the Flagler Humane Society to care for all the animals.
“Many of these counties that have municipal shelters also have humane societies,” Orr said. “But we need the kennels.”
In an Oct. 21 workshop presentation, Chief of Special Projects Holly Albanese included the construction of a municipal shelter as part of the county’s proposed legislative appropriations requests to send to the state for the next budget cycle.
In her presentation, Albanese said a new 30,000-square-foot facility could cost an estimated $15 million to build.
The county has asked for letters of support for the request from Bunnell, Flagler Beach and Palm Coast, as they all partner with the Flagler Humane Society, for the legislative request. Johnston said the city is working closely with the county on the legislative request.
Flagler County is able to levy an impact fee to help pay for a shelter,
Johnston said, but had in previous years declined to do so. And building a new shelter requires substantial funding to build.
As with every legislative appropriations list, Flagler County and each of the cities will send to Tallahassee multiple items they would like to see funded. Both Flagler County and Palm Coast’s lists already have requests for major capital projects like flooding mitigation, expanding first responder services, and infrastructure improvements.
The municipal shelter request will compete against those requests and funding requests sent in by other cities and counties across the state.
The priority of the requests are set by the City Council in Palm Coast, Johnston said.
The data ARF volunteers are gathering will support the request when it goes to the state. Orr said the ARF volunteers are out to get as much data as possible to support the county’s legislative request.
But Orr said he’s well aware that the idea of a municipal shelter could fail at any stage — from the city to the county and all the way up the chain to the governor’s desk.
“It’s a long road where we’re at in the very early stages,” Orr said. “But we’re encouraged that we’ve been asked to go forward with this and gather data and help the city and help the county.”
BY THE NUMBERS
$15 million
$284,220
$26,000
$90,000 The amount Palm Coast pays the Flagler Humane Society for animal shelter services
56 The number of kennels at the shelter. The Flagler Humane Society had over 90 dogs at the shelter in August, almost double its capacity.
96
The number of kennels at the Citrus County, Florida, municipal shelter. Citris County has a similar population to Flagler County.
The Flagler Humane Society. Photo by Brent Woronoff
BRICK +MORTAR
MORE INFORMATION
Vincent’s Clubhouse offers support for children and adults with disabilities through education, early intervention, social programs, support and advocacy. For more information and pricing, email erica@ vincentsclubhouse.org.
A permanent home for Vincent’s Clubhouse
BRENT WORONOFF
ASSOCIATE EDITOR
Vincent’s Clubhouse finally has a clubhouse.
Erica Flores, the founder and executive director of the nonprofit, opened The Enrichment Center in European Village on Nov. 4.
The new center allows Vincent’s Clubhouse to expand its programs serving children and adults with disabilities through education, early intervention, social programs, support and advocacy.
For Flores, it’s the realization of a vision that has been getting sharper each year since she founded Vincent’s Clubhouse in 2016 as a oneweek summer camp for children with autism and disabilities.
The organization is named after her son, now 16, who has autism spectrum disorder.
“It was because my son, Vincent, asked to go to summer camp with his cousins one year, and there was nothing in our communities that could give him the supports that he needed,” Flores said. “So I prayed about it, thought about it, and we started Vincent’s Clubhouse.”
After the summer camps, Flores received feedback that the kids needed more services, so Vincent’s Clubhouse began running social events and support groups. Flores started to do advocacy work with Florida Developmental Disabilities Council out of Tallahassee. The past two years, Vincent’s Clubhouse has presented the Autism Awareness Festival at Central Park in Town Center, featuring over 40 vendors that provide resources for people with disabilities and their families. Through it all, Flores kept
her full-time job as the administrator of a nursing home. But she wanted to expand Vincent’s Clubhouse’s programs further. And she wanted to find a permanent home for the organization. The summer camps were held Cattleman’s Hall at the Flagler County Fairgrounds. The Palm Coast Community Center rented for social events. Group programs were sometimes held in ice cream shops.
Flores wanted to start a comprehensive adult program, focusing on vocational training and life skills.
And she wanted to run Vincent’s Clubhouse full time.
“That was my dream,” she said. “But I kept pushing it off, pushing it off. Finally, in May, I took a look at my life and said, ‘OK, I have a phenomenal board of directors and qualified experts in their fields able to help guide our organization.’ I decided that I was going to step out of health care and follow my vision of what Vincent’s Clubhouse needed to be. I wanted it to be a resource for all individuals with disabilities regardless of where they were on their journey.”
‘I’M GOING TO PURCHASE IT’
One day, Flores was sitting in Cattleman’s Hall with a dear friend, Debbie Lynch, who is the CEO of Inclusion & Diversity Enterprises. She told Flores that she wanted to help her find a permanent home for Vincent’s Clubhouse. She offered to provide first and last month’s rent and a security deposit. Flores said she was floored.
But as they were looking for locations, Flores said Lynch was not satisfied with any of the choices.
“She said we need to invest in a location that will be able to serve people with disabilities in Flagler County,” Flores said. “I said to her, ‘Deb, I love you, but I am currently unemployed and volunteering
as the executive director for Vincent’s Clubhouse. I’m not quite in the market for commercial real estate right now.’”
Lynch started laughing. She said, “No, I’m going to purchase it.”
Lynch put $76,000 down to buy the building in European Village that was previously a real estate office. They closed on Sept. 17, and on Nov. 4, Vincent’s Clubhouse began its first program at the new Enrichment Center.
The adult program runs from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Monday through Friday. From 2 to 5:30 p.m., they hold their afternoon enrichment program for ages 8 and above.
They purchased a curriculum for the adult program.
Dr. Timothy King, a former Flagler Schools director of Exceptional Student Education, who is on the board of directors for Vincent’s Clubhouse, helped organize the content and how it should be taught.
There are 12 units that range from hygiene and social skills to managing money and independent living. It’s all vocationally focused with the goal of self-sustainability, Flores said. And it’s individualized. Instructors try to find out the members’ interests. Adults with autism or intellectual disabilities are no different from anybody else, Flores said. They’re unhappy when they have a job that does not align with their interests.
‘THEY ARE AMAZING’
Beginning in January, Vincent’s Clubhouse will partner
BY THE NUMBERS
1 in 36
children in the United States have autism spectrum disorder 178% increase in prevalence of autism since 2000
4 times as many boys than girls are diagnosed with ASD
Source: Centers for Disease Control
with Coffee News, with adult members delivering copies and organizing the deliveries.
The afternoon enrichment program focuses on speech and language development as well as social and life skills.
“The kids’ program is not much different than the adult program. It’s modified,” Flores said.
They are starting parent trainings, teaching parents about special needs trusts and guardianships. Every third Wednesday, Vincent’s Clubhouse partners with Flagler Schools’ ESE department at the Governement Services Building.
The second Thursday of every month, Amanda Redwine, a licensed mental Health counselor from Congruence Counseling, leads a support group. They plan to have at least two social events a month for different age groups.
The camps will now run thoughout the summer at the Enrichment Center with different themes such as music, art, communication and sports. Vincent’s Clubhouse’s traditional camp will continue at Cattleman’s Hall, Flores said. Nancy Moses-Bennett, a speech and language pathologist, who worked in Flagler Schools for 25 years, is the camp director.
Flores sits back in her new conference room and admires the members working in the other room.
“These are amazing people,” she said. “They’re amazing, resourceful, strong, brave people that have gone through things that most of us couldn’t even imagine. They’re resilient and they’re happy. And as parents, we’ve had to grieve what we thought our life would be. And then we embrace what it is and love it.”
Hector Flores is on the Vincent Clubhouse board of directors. Photo by Brent Woronoff
Vincent’s Clubhouse member Elijah Holloway. Photo by Brent Woronoff
Erica Flores and her son, Vincent Cona, on Day 1 at the new Enrichment Center at European Village.
Volunteers Michael Olson, Emmie Hammond and Caroline Lord with members Hailey Olson, Alex Calder, Vincent Cona, Matt Sowers and Pete Lagana (far right) with instructor Jackie Olson (rear center) and Executive Director Erica Flores (second from right) pose in front of the Enrichment Center on Day 1. Courtesy photos
Occupational Therapist Jackie Olson (right of white board) works with members in the adult program.
Flagler County has declared a continuous state of emergency since 2016
‘The only path ... to exit the emergency condition would be to put in place some sort of local funding ordinance.’
SIERRA WILLIAMS STAFF WRITER
Because of the state of the county’s dunes, Flagler County has declared a continuous state of emergency since
Hurricane Matthew landed in October 2016.
The Flagler County Board of County Commissioners has updated and reconfirmed that state of emergency 180 times since then, County Administrator Heidi Petito said, mostly because of the state of the county’s shoreline. Though repairs have been completed or are in progress in the south of the county, that isn’t the case on the north end.
“The emergency in the north part of Flagler County really only has been responded to by a couple of emergency or sacrificial dune projects,” Petito said. “The county’s beachside remains fragile in some places, vulnerable everywhere else.”
Flagler County is in the early stages of putting together funding measures for the beach management plan, specifically for the northern stretch of shoreline.
“Really, the only path forward for Flagler County to be able to exit the emergency
condition would be to put in place some sort of local funding ordinance,” Petito said.
The management plan is divided into four areas or “Reaches,” according to Flagler County documents. Reach I is the south county line to the North Seventh Street of Flagler Beach. Reach II extends from the north end or Reach I into Varn Park to the southern edge of Washington Oaks Gardens State park.
Reach I was addressed with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers project, and the Florida Department of Transportation’s secant wall at the south of the county. The county is currently working on modifying a permit to dredge sand from the offshore sand source for repair the shoreline along Reach II, and funding has already been set aside for this work. Construction is likely to begin sometime in 2025, if approved.
Reach III is Flagler County’s focus. Of the area’s estimated $40 million price tag for ini-
tial construction, only $2.5 million is estimated to come from state resources and $37.5 million from local funding.
Petito reviewed the beach management plan at a Nov. 21 workshop meeting meant to inform the two new Flagler County commissioners of the status of the beach management plan and address any concerns from any of the commissioners.
The management plan, Petito said, is how the county plans to remove itself from the constant state of emergency it has been in since Hurricane Matthew.
The plan is not without its criticisms, like the western barrier island residents who are more concerned with flooding from the Intracoastal Waterway than from the ocean. Commission Chair Andy Dance pointed out that a dune beach would provide a compound flooding effect when combined with storm surge, rainfall and the Intracoastal, and impact more than
just flooding properties.
“A dune breach of that magnitude impacts all the facilities, the infrastructure that’s feeding the entire barrier island, water, sewer, the septic systems and the roadways,” Dance said.
Another criticism has been the use of the county’s Tourism Development Tax — known as a bed tax or revenue generated by tourists coming to Flagler County — for funding. Most of that revenue is generated by visits to Flagler Beach, and, previously, some Flagler Beach commissioners have expressed discontent over most of the funding being used for the north of the county instead of where the money is generated.
But the tax is divided into several “buckets.” The county levies a 5% bed tax, only 1% of which is dedicated to beach management activities.
That 1% equals about $900,000. Over the several years the money has sat and accrued, Petito said, which is
why the county had over $2 million in the fund that was budgeted toward the beach management plan in the 2025 fiscal year budget. Still more residents are confused over who could potentially end up paying a property assessment to help fund the management plan. Only those residents in unincorporated Flagler County on the barrier island would be subject to it. But the Flagler County Commission has not settled on a particular funding method. A Nov. 4 approval of a resolution about the property assessment is just a document that notices the intent to levy the assessment.
The resolution still needs to be approved again in a vote on Dec. 2, followed by multiple other legal and procedural steps. If all that is approved, the plan still wouldn’t be implemented until the 2026 fiscal year budget, beginning Oct. 1, 2025.
‘Extensive’ damage from fire at Turtle Shack restaurant, in Flagler Beach
Though no one was injured in fire, the Turtle Shack has damage to the kitchens, bathrooms and roof.
SIERRA
WILLIAMS STAFF WRITER
Flagler Beach’s Turtle Shack restaurant sustained significant damage in an early morning kitchen fire on Nov. 25. The fire started in the back of the building at around 6 a.m., Flagler County Fire Rescue Chief Michael Tucker said. Emergency dispatch received the first call about the fire at 6:14 a.m. and the first Flagler Beach Fire Department team arrived at 6:20 a.m., with Flagler County Fire Rescue shortly behind them. Tucker called the damage “extensive.”
“They’re going to have to have a significant amount of work done to the facilities to even begin to think about reopening again,” Tucker said.
“It’ll be a while.”
Because the Turtle Shack — located at 2123 N. Ocean Shore Blvd. — is closed on Mondays, no one was in the restaurant when it caught fire, and no one was injured during it. The first crews on scene reported flame and smoke coming from the rear of the building, where the restaurant’s kitchen is.
Tucker was one of the firefighters on scene working the fire, in the five Flagler County Fire Rescue units. Containing the fire was a joint effort between the Flagler Beach Fire Department, the Flagler County Fire Rescue and the Palm Coast Fire Department, according to a Facebook post from the FBFD. Tucker said the fire was controlled — meaning no longer advancing — about 22 minutes after teams arrived, and fully put out by 9:24 a.m. Flagler Beach Fire Chief Bobby Pace, who said he came on the team in the aftermath, said the crews did an excellent job knocking down the fire and preventing it from spreading to the neighboring buildings.
Flagler Beach city building
official Rick McFadden was already on scene assessing the damage, Pace said.
“The Fire Department did an amazing job,” Turtle Shack owner Linda Niday said. “They pretty much contained it for the kitchen, in the bathroom.”
Niday told the Observer that while she was still in shock, she and her son have received already a lot of support from the community.
“Just everybody [has been] calling and texting and just saying, making sure everybody’s OK, if there’s anything they can do to help, to just let them know,” Niday said. “It’s just been amazing.”
Though the Turtle Shack has been around for longer, Niday bought the business in 2011 and has run it for the last 13 years. It employees 22 people.
Niday doesn’t own the building, just the business. As such, the Fire Department will need to send the landlord the report — which could take a week — and then the landlord will need to file with their insurance. For now, Niday
said, they don’t really know what’s going to happen next.
Pace said in cases where buildings are close together, like the Turtle Shack to its neighbors, they have to be careful the flames don’t spread to neighboring buildings.
“Radiant heat alone can ignite one of these other buildings,” Pace said.
Once on scene, Tucker said, a team first assesses life safety and then any potential exposures. He said the response to prevent such exposure fires has to be “pretty close to immediate.”
Because the departments all share the same radio frequency and often perform joint training initiatives together, the three departments are able to work together very well, Tucker said.
“As the chief of Flagler County watching the three fire departments work together, you know, it’s pretty amazing,” he said. “It’s not something that’s experienced in many places across this country.”
Flagler Beach’s Turtle Shack caught fire just after 6 a.m. on Nov. 25, 2024, and has sustained “extensive” damage. Photo courtesy of Java Joint Beachside Grill
Flagler County Administrator Heidi Petito. Image from Flagler County Commission livestream
New Wawa on Palm Coast Parkway
SIERRA WILLIAMS STAFF WRITER
Over 200 people showed up to celebrate the grand opening of Palm Coast’s second Wawa location.
The gas station and conveience store, located at 1 Florida Park Drive S., replaced the the three-story B. Paul Katz Professional Center, which was demolished in 2023. The national gas station chain celebrated the opening of its new location in Palm Coast by handing out free T-shirts to the first 100 customers and free hot coffee all day long, according to a press release.
The Wawa team invited the Matanzas High School marching band to play outside, while people lined up around the building ahead of the 8 a.m. opening.
“It is a gorgeous store. It is the top of the line prototype. It’s the best looking store we have out there,” Store Operations Director Karen Myers said.
The Wawa team also hosted a hoagie-building competition between the Palm Coast Fire Department and the Flagler County Sheriff’s Office. The two teams competed to build the most hoagies in a three-minute period. The competition ended in a tie between the two groups, requiring a tie-breaker game of rock-paper-scissors. While the trophy went to the PCFD, both teams’ selected charities — the PCFD union’s local 4807 Benevolent Fund and the FCSO’s Children’s Char-
ity — will each receive $1,000 donations.
Palm Coast’s first Wawa, located at 600 State Road 100 E., at the corner of Bulldog Drive, opened in June 2020. In April, Wawa, which first opened in Folsom, Pennsylvania in 1964, celebrated its 60th anniversary.
The company operates on several core values, Myers said during the grand opening ceremony. Among those values includes valuing people, she said, and took the opportunity to celebrate one employee’s efforts.
Area manager Stephanie Andrews — who oversees over two dozen Wawas in Volusia and Flagler counties — received recognition and a company pin for her efforts during Hurricane Milton in October. After the hurricane, Myers said, Andrews reached out to every associate in the stores in her district in the Ormond Beach and Daytona Beach areas, ensuring all of them “had a place to stay and food to eat.”
Andrews even put fellow manager Tracy Felsing and her family up in a hotel when her home was devastated by the Hurricane Milton.
“Stephanie was an unsung hero for her teams in the aftermath of this hurricane,” Myers said.
Palm Coast celebrates new Wawa on Palm Coast Parkway
Cassandra Rodriguez and Patrick Culver were the first two people in line at the new Palm Coast Wawa. They showed up at 6:28 a.m. Photos by Sierra Williams
The Matanzas High School marching band and color guard performed
Flagler County Sheriff’s Office deputies and Palm Coast Fire Department members competed to make the most hoagies in three minutes.
The Matanzas High School marching band performed at the new Palm Coast Parkway Wawa’s grand opening.
BRIEFS
Life in prison for role in 2022 Flagler drug over-dose death
A Flagler County man has been sentenced to life in prison without the possibility for parole in the case of a 2022 overdose death.
On Nov. 21, Brian Pirraglia was found guilty by a Flagler County jury of first-degree murder by unlawful distribution of a controlled substance after a three-day trial, according to a Flagler County Sheriff’s Office press release. Pirraglia was accused and then convicted of selling drugs laced with fentanyl to a Palm Coast man in 2022 who then died of a drug overdose.
The trial followed a two-year investigation.
Flagler Sheriff Rick Staly previously directed that all overdose deaths be investigated as homicide cases, the press release said. Since this directive, 11 individuals have been arrested for causing overdose deaths and seven, including Pirraglia, have been convicted and sentenced to state prison.
Flagler drug dealer arrested in Daytona
A Daytona Beach criminal wanted in Flagler County was arrested in Daytona Beach on Nov. 19. Michael Underwood, 37, was wanted in Flagler County on multiple charges of cocaine possession, tampering with physical evidence and
COPS CORNER
NOV. 9
WHO WAS AT THE WHEEL?
10:42 p.m. — 300 block of Sanchez Avenue, Ormond Beach Civil Problem: DUI. Police arrested a 29-year-old Daytona Beach man who was driving drunk and caused a crash that resulted in his car flipping upside down. The man denied drinking, and refused to complete field sobriety exercises or provide a breath sample. He was taken to jail.
NOV. 13
STORM DRAIN DISPOSAL
YOUR TOWN
Meyer family returns for 21st annual Stuart F. Meyer Hospice House golf tournament
The 21st annual Stuart F. Meyer Hospice House golf tournament on Oct. 23 was a celebration of community support and a tribute to the enduring legacy of Stuart F. Meyer. Among the 144 players was one of Meyer’s grandsons, Bryan Ashley, 34, of Fenton, Missouri. event.
“It’s amazing to see the support
possession of drug paraphernalia.
Underwood has an extensive criminal history, including 67 criminal charges, including 25 felony arrests, and 10 convictions, a Flagler County Sheriff’s Office press release said.
Underwood’s previous charges range from narcotics-related offenses and reckless driving to aggravated assault and home invasion.
The FCSO’s Problem Area Crime Enforcement team worked to find Underwood’s location and contacted the Daytona Beach Police Department when he was tracked to Daytona Beach. The DBPD’s Violent Crime Apprehension Team arrested Underwood and took him to the Volusia County jail, where he is being held without bond.
12-year-old girl arrested after threatening to kill
A 12-year-old girl made threats overSnapchat, according to the Flagler County Sheriff’s Office, leading to her arrest. The suspect was arguing with two other girls in a group chat when she sent the victim audio recordings in which the suspect said, “I will literally blow your brains out,” according to an FCSO press release.
The suspect then also sent a video showing her walking to the victim’s home.
The victim’s older sibling contacted law enforcement. When deputies first began talking to the 12-yearold suspect, she initially denied even having a Snapchat account or sending the messages, but deputies found the app on her phone.
11:37 a.m. — Intersection of South Washington Street and West Granada Boulevard, Ormond Beach Civil Problem: Possession of drugs. A 30-year-old Daytona Beach man was arrested after police noticed his motorcycle’s license plate registration’s expiration date was in 2028.
The officer, knowing that plates can only be registered for two years, gave the license plate number to dispatch, who advised it was expired. He then pulled the man over, at which point the officer watched as the man discarded a plastic baggie containing white powder into a storm drain, according to the police report.
The man didn’t immediately stop, appearing as if trying to flee, so once stopped, police secured him in handcuffs. The plastic baggie was
for my grandfather and his legacy,”
Ashley said. “Our family has been coming to this event for years, but now it’s our generation’s turn. It’s exciting to see the impact the hospice house has had on the community.”
Stuart F. Meyer, a former president of the St. Louis Cardinals and a Flagler County resident, spent his final days in hospice care. In his memory, his family supported the construction of a hospice house on the AdventHealth Palm Coast campus more than two decades ago.
“My grandfather passed away from cancer, and that time was really hard, but hospice provided comfort for my entire family,” Ashley recalled.
“Seeing the support here today is monumental; this will help others going through the same experience.”
The connection between the Meyer family and AdventHealth dates
The 12-year-old suspect was charged with one felony count of written or electronic threats to kill, taken to the county jail and later turned over to the Florida Department of Juvenile Justice and released into her parents’ custody, the press release said.
Flagler Sherif Rick Staly said the FCSO takes any threat seriously, regardless of how old the suspect is.
“If you threaten to kill someone, even if it’s over something as trivial as arguing over a boy, we will arrest you,” Staly said. “I ask parents to be the sheriff in your home and teach your children that threatening to kill someone is never okay. Teach them how to handle disagreements, especially in relationships.”
U.S. Rep. Waltz resigns effective Jan. 20; election to be held April 1
Three-term U.S. Rep. Michael Waltz has resigned his Congressional seat effective Jan. 20, 2025. Presidentelect Donald Trump has named Waltz, a former Green Beret, as his national security advisor, a position that does not require Senate confirmation.
Flagler County Supervisor of Elections Kaiti Lenhart announced that a special election has been called to fill Waltz’s Congressional District 6 seat. A special primary election will be held Jan. 28 with the special general election set for April 1, Lenhart announced.
The 6th Congressional District represents all of Flagler County, part
located, and it tested positive for fentanyl.
Police asked him about his license plate, and the man said that it belonged to a neighbor and that he put it on his motorcycle so he could ride it. When asked about throwing the drugs into the storm drain, the man denied doing so and called the officer a liar. He was taken to jail.
NOV. 24 DAYLIGHT ROBBERY
3:44 p.m. — First block of Clement Lane, Palm Coast Civil Problem: Petit theft. A Palm Coast woman walked onto a residential construction site one morning and stole four 20- to 30-foot rebar poles while the owner and construction workers were on site.
of Volusia County — including Ormond Beach — and parts of Putnam, Marion and Lake counties.
Last chance: Hurricane debris collection on Volusia County-maintained roads to begin Dec. 2
Volusia County will begin the second and final pass for Hurricane Miltongenerated vegetative debris collection on county-maintained roads starting Monday, Dec. 2.
This will follow substantial completion of the first pass for vegetative debris by the Thanksgiving holiday. Collection of construction and demolition debris, including materials such as fencing, drywall, and carpet, will also commence on the same day. However, the final collection of vegetative and construction and demolition debris may not
The owner showed Sheriff’s Office deputies surveillance footage of two women in a minivan pulling up to the site to talk to the property owner.
Just over an hour later, at 11:49 a.m., one of the women came back and loaded four metal rebar poles into the minivan while the owner watched. The rebars cost approximately $400, the report said.
A deputy tracked to the woman’s minivan to a home on Clement Lane. The woman admitted to taking the rebars but only because she thought they were being thrown away.
CAN’T TALK THE TALK
10:36 a.m. — Interstate 95 near mile marker 294, Palm Coast Civil Problem: Resisting officer, obstruct without violence. A man was arrested when he was found walking
occur on the same day due to FEMA regulations that mandate separate disposal for these materials.
Residents living on countymaintained roads must place all remaining storm-generated debris curbside by the evening of Sunday, Dec. 1. Vegetative debris must be kept separate from construction and demolition materials, as mixed piles will not be collected. Bagged debris, electronics, or hazardous items, including paint and tires, will not be collected.
For those residing on private roads in unincorporated Volusia County, debris removal began on Nov. 1 and will conclude with a single pass by mid-December. Bagged debris, construction materials, electronics, and hazardous waste will not be picked up on private roads.
Residents with small amounts of vegetative debris can expedite collection if the debris meets the normal yard waste weekly collection guidelines, which are available on the Solid Waste and Recycling webpage.
As a reminder, only licensed and insured professionals should be hired for large tree debris removal or household damage repairs. Contractors must properly dispose of such debris at the Tomoka Landfill or West Volusia Transfer Station and, according to FEMA, cannot place storm debris in the public right-of-way. As of today, the county has collected nearly 250,000 cubic yards of vegetative debris along countymaintained roads in unincorporated areas and remains on track to receive 100% reimbursement from FEMA.
along the interstate but refused to give law enforcement his name.
A Highway Patrol trooper told him it was illegal and the equivalent of a traffic violation for anyone to walk along the interstate and offered to take him off the highway but needed the man’s name, address and date of birth.
The man gave him a name, but said it so quietly the officer couldn’t hear him, and the man refused to say anything else, the report said. The name the officer was given also did not turn up in the officer’s search.
After repeated attempts to get the man to say who he was, the officer placed him under arrest and took him to jail. He was booked under the false name.
back to 2005, when Meyer, a Hammock Dunes resident, expressed his wish to establish hospice care for the community. After his death, his loved ones rallied to raise $4 million to build the Stuart F. Meyer Hospice
House at AdventHealth Palm Coast. Opened in 2007, the eight-bed hospice offers acute, respite, home health and continuous care. No other hospice in Flagler County offers all four services.
This year’s golf tournament raised $56,000 with 36 golf teams signed up. Visit https://www.adventhealth. com/foundation/adventhealthfoundation-central-florida/donatehospice-care.
Rep. Michael Waltz. File photo
Stuart F. Meyer’s family at the 21st annual Stuart F. Meyer Hospice House at golf tournament on Oct. 23. Courtesy photo
Make yourself at home
The day before Black Friday
Frantic shopping will continue, so I won’t try convincing anyone to adopt an ascetic lifestyle.
BRIAN MCMILLAN PUBLISHER
vacuum: “A Roomba for $300?!” she exclaimed. The five children and I waited with bated breath in the family room. Did she think this was a good deal? A bad deal? The queen was about to speak. But instead of revealing her opinion on the price, Hailey said, “I don’t need it. I have five Roombas.” Ellie, 15, waited a moment before realizing what her mother meant. Finally Ellie
said, indignantly, “Hey! Your children are not Roombas!” Ahh, love is in the air. It’s Christmas time! Thanks to ubiquitous deals and retail anxiety, Christmas shopping begins earlier and earlier every year, with one day’s break, known as Thanksgiving Day, when we gather around the table and wait for Black Friday. What can be done? The worldwide frantic shopping will continue no matter what I say here, so I won’t bother to try convincing anyone to adopt an ascetic lifestyle. Instead, I
LETTER TO THE EDITOR
FPC football: 9 wins, 1 loss, 1 incomplete
Dear Editor:
Friday’s night game (Nov. 15) left Flagler Palm Coast High Schoolfootball with a season that ended as 9 wins, 1 loss, 1 incomplete.
I was sitting in the stands with everyone, yelling, “It’s only third down,” and yet the refs did nothing. Were they cold and tired and just wanted to go home? Or do they just not know how to count? Do they need a refresher course in the rules?
I left the field that night and went home and watched the game again to see if possibly I missed something.
The next morning I listened to the Rich and Mike Sports
Show on WNZF. They were upset over what took place knowing that win or lose this team had the right to play the game to the end. I also learned from their show that some of the players didn’t leave the field until very late that night. Upset? No doubt. They were cheated out of finishing. (Coach) Daniel Fish had a vision of what he wanted for his team this year and it worked. These boys put a lot of hard work into their practices. Their morals, values and respect for one another showed both on and off the field.
I will say it again: FPC 9
wins, 1 loss, 1 incomplete.
One thing I am wondering is how the coaches of Spruce Creek are feeling?
Surely they knew it was only third down. If the refs called it second down again they would have been out there on the field flipping out. I guess it comes down to your morals and the type of person you are.
Hats off to Daniel Fish, (offensive coordinator) Jake Medlock and the rest of the FPC coaches. You did a great job!
BARBARA HOLUB
will paint a picture of giving thanks while shopping.
Imagine you are walking into a store, feeling stressed out. Consider pausing and feeling thankful for one or more of the following, as they may apply to you:
You have arrived safely at the store.
You have eyes to see.
You have someone to shop for.
The store is climate controlled.
Truck drivers hauled the toys and goodies from far flung lands so that you could have access to them.
Men and women in our community are willing to work to serve you by stocking shelves, keeping the
YOUR TOWN
ParkSide Realty Group welcomes new realtor
Deborah Ronson has joined ParkSide Realty Group.
Ronson has over 20 years of sales and marketing, construction and executive management experience in the senior living industry.
As an accredited senior real estate specialist, she “brings a wealth of expertise to the team and is dedicated to delivering personalized and compassionate service to her clients,” a ParkSide press release said.
“Joining ParkSide Realty Group is an exciting opportunity to further serve the Palm Coast community I’ve called home since 2010,” Ronson said. “I believe that real estate is about more than transactions — it’s about building meaningful, long-lasting relationships with my clients
store clean, and ringing up your items accurately at the checkout.
Starting from a place of gratitude makes peace possible, even during holiday stress.
I’m grateful for the quiet moments in between shopping trips. For a library that sells $2 books. For a chilly Sunday morning. For a gravel path to the ditch down the road, where my 6-year-old son, Luke, discovers the joy of throwing not just one small stone but a whole handful of stones, laughing in wonder as they all land at once, a constellation of splashes on the surface.
and helping them achieve their goals.”
ParkSide Realty Group, with 15 local agents, specializes in real estate across Palm Coast, Flagler Beach and Bunnell. the press release said. All ParkSide agents live in Flagler County.
Send your news
Submit press releases to brent@observerlocalnews. com.
Matanzas soccer teams volunteer at Food Pantry
Players on Matanzas High School’s soccer teams — boys and girls varsity and boys JV — volunteered on Nov. 16 at the Grace Community Food Pantry in Bunnell.
The students helped feed over 700 families.
“This is one of my favorite team bonding events,” said Lesley De Leon of the Pirate Boys Soccer Booster Club. De Leon said the booster club hopes to make the volunteering effort an annual tradition.
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The Town of Beverly Beach has tentatively adopted a budget for Fiscal Year 2025.A public hearing to make a FINAL DECISION on the budget AND TAXES will be held on: MONDAY, DECEMBER 2, 2024 5:30 PM at
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Matanzas High School varsity boys and girls soccer players volunteered at the Grace Community Food Pantry on Nov. 16. Courtesy photo
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The Flagler County Democratic Women’s Club turned out in force on Nov. 22 to celebrate the 100th birthday of one of Flagler and Palm Coast’s iconic figures: Shirley Chisholm.
“Chisholm became a trail blazer, not because she sought fame, but because she understood the real change demands courage,” Flagler School Board member Janie Ruddy said.
Chisholm, who lived in Palm Coast from 1991 until her death in 2005, was the first Black woman to sit in Congress, and the first Black woman to run for the presidency. She served in Congress for seven terms, from 1969 to 1983.
Chisholm died Jan. 1, 2005 at 80 years old.
This was the third annual birthday celebration the Democratic Women’s Club held in honor of Chisholm. The luncheon, held in advance of Chisholm’s Nov. 30 birthday, was held at the Palm Coast Community Center and featured Florida Sen. Rosalind Osgood as the keynote speaker, alongside Ruddy
education.
and Chisholm’s goddaughter Marie Bosley-Ford.
“[Chisholm] was unwavering in her commitment to her democracy,” Osgood said.
This was also the third year that Palm Coast and the city Parks and Recreation unveiled a new addition honoring Chisholm. In 2022, the city dedicated a walking trail on Pine Lakes Parkway to Chisholm, complete with a memorial stone marker and plaque.
In 2023, the city and the Democratic Women’s Club added seven trail markers along the Shirley Chisholm Trail with some of Chisholm’s slogans. This year, the city, working with the Democratic Women’s Club, added QR codes that, when scanned with a phone camera, will play threeminute recordings about the slogan featured on the trail marker, according to a Democratic Women’s Club booklet from the luncheon.
The codes were launched in early November, the booklet said.
During her tenure in Congress and campaigns, Chisholm became known for saying she was “unbought and unbossed,” words Chisholm embodied, Ruddy said.
“These were not just words. They were a creed that guided her life and work,” Ruddy said. “She didn’t just take a seat, she commanded attention, introducing over 50 pieces of legislation and championing causes often ignored by her peers.”
One of Chisholm’s most profound contributions was to education, Ruddy said, fighting for policies to ensure equal access to quality education for all children, “even those from underprivileged backgrounds.”
Ruddy credited Chisholm’s example as making it possible for her to step into a leadership role.
“In a time when voices of women, all women, were too often silenced. Shirley’s voice roared and her actions resonated,” Ruddy said. Ruddy and Osgood said they must continue the fight Chisholm started. She stood for the democratic principles of fairness, equality and freeom, Osgood said. Chisholm taught them all that “we must not only demand justice, we must be a part of what is going on, a part of the process,” she said.
“Shirley Chisholm understood in her moment in time that she had been called on at that time,” Osgood said. “And I believe all of us have been called for this time.”
Flagler Democratic Women’s Club celebrates Shirley Chisholm’s 100th birthday
Stacey Smith performs “Lift Every Voice and Sing.”
New School Board member Janie Ruddy gave a speech about
Students in the Matanzas and Flagler Palm Coast High Schools’ African American Mentoring Program for Girls were asked to serve food at the Shirley Chisholm birthday luncheon. Courtesy of Flagler County Education Foundation
Florida Sen. Rosalind Osgood and Marva Jones, Flagler County Democratic Women’s Club member. Photos by Sierra Williams
Shirley Chisholm’s god-daughter Marie Bosley-Ford presents Agnes Lightfoot, president of the Democratic Women’s Club of Flagler County, an official movie poster for “Shirley,” a biographical Netflix movie that premiered in March.
The luncheon was held in honor of what would have been Shirley Chisholm’s 100th birthday. Around the room, posters were set up featuring Chisholm’s most famous quotes.
LOCAL EVENTS
Details: Before you feast this Thanksgiving, take part in this timed 5K run/walk. Dress up to participate in the costume contest. Placement medals will be awarded to the overall men’s winner, overall women’s winner, and first, second, and third place men’s and women’s winners in 14 different age categories. Registration costs $35 in advance and $40 on the day of the race. Student registration costs $20. Visit runsignup. com/Race/FL/PalmCoast/FeettoFeast5k.
Details: Hammock Beach Resort’s Thanksgiving Buffet is open to all, hosted in the Ocean Ballroom. Buffet costs $84 for guests, $68 for members and $25 for children ages 4-12. Reservations required. Calll Christine Losagio at 386-246-5676 or via email at christine.losagio@ hammockbeach.com by Nov. 25.
FRIDAY, NOV. 29
FESTIVAL OF NATIVITIES
When: 1-7 p.m.
Where: Shepherd of the Coast Church, 101 Pine Lakes Parkway S., Palm Coast
Details: See this display of many nativity sets. Free event.
BEACHSIDE GARAGE
OPEN HOUSE
When: 4-8 p.m.
Where: Birthplace of Speed Park, 21 Ocean Shore Blvd., Ormond Beach
Details: The Motor Racing Heritage Association will host an open house to view the two replica race cars that competed in the first sanctioned race on the beach in March of 1903. Volunteers will be on hand to give tours and information.
TED TORRES MARTIN AS ELVIS
When: 7 p.m.
Where: Fitzgerald Performing Arts Center, 5500 State Route 100, Palm Coast
Details: Ted Torres Martin is an actor/singer/songwriter/musician that was the 2016 “Images of the King” world champion. He is one of the top Elvis vocal stylists. Tickets cost $44. Visit flaglerauditorium.org.
BIRTHPLACE OF SPEED
GASLIGHT PARADE
When: 7 p.m.
Where: The Casements, 25 Riverside Drive, Ormond Beach
Details: See this annual antique car parade. The parade will begin at The Casements and travel east on East Granada Boulevard to A1A, where the car will turn south to Harvard Drive. The cars will also be on display at Fortunato Park, 2 John Anderson Drive, Ormond Beach, from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m.
SATURDAY, NOV. 30
FOURTH ANNUAL
HOLIDAY MARKET
When: 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Where: Flagler County Fairgrounds, 150 Sawgrass Road, Bunnell
Details: Shop from over 100 local vendors. There will be food trucks and appearances by Santa. Free.
PALM COAST TREE
LIGHTING CEREMONY
When: 6-9 p.m.
Where: Central Park at Town Center, 975 Central Ave., Palm Coast
Details: The city of Palm Coast invites the community to its tree lighting ceremony, which will kick off Palm Coast Rotary Club’s 19th Annual Fantasy Light Festival. Join Santa Claus, the Palm Coast City Council and the Rotary Club of Flagler County for a night of festivities. There will be food trucks, Santa’s Village, a Letters to Santa station, limited edition 25th anniversary Christmas ornament giveaway and kids crafts. Photos with Santa will also be available.
SUNDAY, DEC. 1
SUNDAY WITH SANTA AT TOMOKA OUTPOST
When: 11 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Where: Tomoka Outpost inside Tomoka State Park, 2099 N. Beach St., Ormond Beach
Details: Santa will be making a visit to Tomoka Outpost inside Tomoka State Park. He will arrive on an Ormond Beach Fire truck at 11 a.m. Bring your wish list and take a photo with him. Local vendors will also offer samples of their products for sale. All ages welcome. Park entry fee of $5 per vehicle applies.
HANDEL’S MESSIAH WITH DAYTONA BEACH CHORAL SOCIETY
Details: See the Daytona Beach Choral Society perform parts of the Christmas portion of Handel’s Messiah, plus the Hallelujah chorus. There will be a traditional carol singalong and complimentary refreshments following the concert. A $10 donation is suggested. Visit daytonabeachchoralsociety.com/events.
Details: Kick off the holiday season with a local vendor market. Santa and Mrs. Claus will be taking photos from 5-7 p.m. The tap room will be pouring beers and serving homemade food all day. A tree lighting will take place at 7 p.m.
MONDAY, DEC. 2
HALIFAX HEALTH
EDUCATIONAL SERIES
When: 1 p.m.
Where: Ormond Beach Regional Library, 30 S. Beach St., Ormond
Beach
Details: Halifax Health educator
Annette Tracy, a registered nurse, will discuss healthy ways to take a break for better physical and mental health. Free and open to the public. No registration required.
MIGRATORY BIRDS OF FLORIDA
When: 2 p.m.
Where: Ormond Beach Regional Library, 30 S. Beach St., Ormond
Beach
Details: Halifax River Audubon will discuss how to spot the different types of migratory birds in Florida. Free and open to the public. No registration required.
TUESDAY, DEC. 3
MASTER GARDENER PLANT
CLINIC
When: 10:30 a.m. to noon
Where: Environmental Discovery Center, 601 Division Ave., Ormond
Beach
Details: Attend this a fun, interactive program that provides researchbased horticultural education to homeowners. Bring your questions, samples and photos.
WATERCOLOR WORKSHOP
When: 1-4 p.m.
Where: Ocean Art Gallery, 197 E. Granada Blvd., Ormond Beach
Details: Learn to paint in watercolor with artist Bibi Gromling. All supplies are included in the $75 class fee and no drawing is required. Class is limited to six students. Call 386-3179400 to reserve a spot.
WEDNESDAY, DEC. 4
HOLIDAY GARLAND WORKSHOP
When: 9:30 a.m. to noon
Where: The Casements 25 Riverside Drive, Ormond Beach Details: The Ormond Beach Garden Club invites the public to a holiday garland workshop. Workshop costs $30. RSVP by Nov. 30. Call Sharon at 203-668-6413 or email sharchar@ gmail.com, or Zetta at 386-3010366 or email znginflorida@aol.com.
OUR GIFT TO THE COMMUNITY
When: 7 p.m. on Wednesday and Thursday, Dec. 4-5
Where: News-Journal Center, 221 N. Beach St., Daytona Beach
Details: Enjoy this annual tradition featuring classic carols, holiday hits and performances by the Daytona State College Music department. Free, but tickets are required. Tickets are available at the News-Journal Center Box Office only. Donations will be collected for the Falcon HOPE Center.
THURSDAY, DEC. 5
HOLIDAY CONCERT
When: 6-8 p.m.
Where: The Stage at Town Center, 1500 Central Ave., Palm Coast Details: The city of Palm Coast Parks and Recreation is hosting a holiday concert featuring Ashley Estevez. Bundle up and listen to holiday classics. There will be food trucks and vendors.
THE COUNTRY GIRL
When: 7:30 p.m. Thursday, Friday and Saturday, Dec. 5-7; and 3 p.m.
Sunday, Dec. 8
Where: City Repertory Theatre, 160 Cypress Point Parkway, Suite B207, Palm Coast
Details: See a staged reading of “The Country Girl,” by Clifford Odets. This is a romance that delves into the life of a young, long-suffering wife who tirelessly struggles to support her older alcoholic husband. Tickets cost $25 for adults, $15 for students. Visit crtpalmcoast.com.
FRIDAY, DEC. 6
THE CASEMENTS GUILD’S 46TH ANNUAL CHRISTMAS GALA
When: 5-9 p.m. on Friday, Dec. 6, and 12-5 p.m. on Saturday and Sunday, Dec. 7-8
Where: The Casements, 25 Riverside Drive, Ormond Beach
Details: Celebrate the Christmas season with The Casements Guild at its 46th annual Christmas Gala. This year’s theme is “Hollywood Holiday.” On Friday, Dec. 6, Santa will arrive at 6 p.m. There will be a tree lighting, live music, food trucks, train rides, crafts and more. On Saturday and Sunday, enjoy visits with Santa, entertainment, the sale of handmade crafts and a visit to the tree gallery. Free admission.
WONDERLAND AT ONE DAYTONA: JINGLE ALL THE WAY
When: 4:30-7:30 p.m.
Where: One Daytona, 1 Daytona Blvd., Daytona Beach
Details: Attend the second Wonderland at One Daytona event, to include free family friendly activities The CLASH Endurance Jingle Jog 5K will begin at 5:30 p.m. during the event. Register for the race at clashendurance.com/pages/jingle-jog-5k.
HOLIDAY AT THE BEACH
When: 6-9 p.m.
Where: Veterans Park, 101 N. Ocean Shore Blvd., Flagler Beach
Details: Kick off the holiday season in Flagler Beach with a lighting of the park at 6 p.m., followed by live music and entertainment from local schools.
For a full list of holiday events, see our Holiday Guift Guide calendar on Pages 2C-6C.
Volusia Civic Ballet to present ‘The Nutcracker’ ballet at the Peabody
This year’s show features a cast of over 70 performers and eight choreographers.
JARLEENE
ALMENAS MANAGING EDITOR
Since 1996, it’s been a tradition in the community for the Volusia Civic Ballet to present “The Nutcracker” at Peabody Auditorium.
This year is no exception, and the nonprofit organization will host three shows total on Saturday, Dec. 7, and Sunday, Dec. 8. Featuring a cast of over 70 performers and eight choreographers from dance studios across Central Florida, the ballet, set to music by Russian composer Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky, tells the story of Clara who receives a magical Nutcracker doll on Christmas Eve.
Seeing the large cast perform together from different studios is great because it’s not something they get the chance to do often, said Volusia Civic Ballet Artistic Director Jerome DeVito.
“We only get them every Sunday, starting in September, so realistically we really only have 14 days to put this whole two-hour show together,” DeVito said. “So the fact that these kids all come together and these amazing choreographers come together and actually pull this show off is nothing short of magical.”
This year’s Clara is played by Juliane Beatrice Carpio. DeVito said the girl that is chosen to play the role every year sets the theme for the show.
“Julianne is an extremely beautiful dancer,” he said.
LOCAL DANCERS PARTICIPATING IN THE BALLET
Of the 73 dancers in Volusia Civic Ballet’s production of “The Nutcracker,” 13 are from the cities of Ormond Beach and Palm Coast.
Audriana Aylward, 9, Ormond Beach
Sabrina Bobeck, 13, Ormond Beach
Abby Carter, 13, Ormond Beach
Claire Foli, 13, Ormond Beach
“More than just her technique, her facial expressions and the way she performs — she’s a true performer —is going to bring the show to life.”
He’s proud to say that all of the show’s Claras over the years have been diverse.
“I like to represent all the girls in the audience, so that any girl in the audience can look up on that stage and
Marissa Hudson, 13, Ormond Beach
Abigail Jiloty, 9, Ormond Beach
Bree Johnson, 15, Ormond Beach
Madeleine Kiel, 11, Ormond Beach
Olivia Rodriguez, 13, Ormond Beach
Sofia White, 9, Ormond Beach
Rhiley Albin, 13, Palm Coast
Jayden Dawson, 12, Palm Coast
Levi Tagliamonte, 11, Palm Coast
say, ‘One day, I can be Clara,’ because that’s not seen so much throughout Nutcracker-land,” DeVito said.
The ballet also features guest artists from the Cincinnati Ballet, Melissa Gelfin De-Poli and Rafael Quenedit Castro, who perform the parts of the Sugar Plum Fairy and her cavalier. They are returning guest artists, said Nelly Droznin, president of Volusia Civic Ballet.
“They’re incredibly contemporary, modern and classical — all at the same time,” Droznin said. “They’re very creative, full of energy. ... We’re just thrilled that they’re coming back. The audiences love them. The dancers love them and it’s great to see them onstage.”
Though Volusia Civic Ballet puts on “The Nutcracker” every year, the ballet’s choreography is always different and they add twists to keep the story interesting.
“We like to turn the show upside down sometimes, because ‘The Nutcracker’ has been done so many times, and
it’s really a show that you can take a license with,” DeVito said.
His favorite scene? The party scene. It’s basically a 45-minute long dance because it’s so intricate, DeVito said.
“No matter where you look on stage, something really cool is happening,” he said.
Droznin agreed. But, the “Waltz of the Flowers” number makes her cry. The “Waltz of the Snowflakes” is also a standout number, she added.
“When the snow starts falling, it’s a ‘wow moment,’” she said. “It’s just really beautiful, and it’s a very difficult piece as well — very taxing, no matter what the age of the dancers.”
“The Nutcracker” is performed often in the holiday season, but DeVito said that for him, the Volusia Civic Ballet’s is “the real deal.”
“For me, it’s the most professional,” he said. “The costuming is top notch. The choreography is top notch. Our guest artists are beyond top notch.”
Audiences also get an immersive experience, as the lobby at the Peabody will be decorated for the holidays and transformed into a “Kingdom of Sweets” with a Drosselmeyer toy shop selling different ornaments.
“It’s a very festive start to the holidays,” Droznin said.
This is all made possible
with the help of volunteers, who help build the props, man the booths in the lobby and work the Children’s Sugar Plum Tea, offered on Saturday, Dec. 7, and Sunday, Dec. 8, prior to the show. At the tea, children ages 3-12 enjoy holiday treats while the ballet’s characters make appearances for photos.
The volunteers come not only from the families and friends of participating dancers, but from the community at large, Droznin said.
“They so strongly believe in our mission of promoting the arts in the community — keeping the arts alive in the community, fostering the love of dance in the future generation — that they donate their time and they donate financially to keep this organization going, and we truly appreciate all of our sponsors,” Droznin said.
The volunteers become family, and it’s always nice to see family during the holidays, DeVito said.
“It takes a village, like they say, and this is a large village,” DeVito said. “It’s so nice too because we separate and we go about our business throughout the whole year, and then we all come back in August, and it seems like we all become a family all of a sudden within three months.”
Fritz (played by Levi Tagliamonte, of Palm Coast) battles with Clara (played by Juliane Beatrice Carpio) for the nutcracker doll. Photos by Michael Cairns
Juliane Beatrice Carpio as “Clara” and Donovan Mansfield, as “The Nutcracker.”
The Rat King, played by Kelan Halloran, and the Mouse Queen, played by Taylor Gerhardt
REAL ESTATE TRANSACTIONS
Hammock Dunes home tops real estate listings
Ahome at 7 Corte Vista in the Hammock Dunes area was the top real estate transaction for Nov. 9-15 in Palm Coast and Flagler County. The home sold on Nov. 15, for $1,650,000 and has 6,040 square feet. Built in 2012, the home is a 4/7 and has a screened porch, a sun deck and 10-foot ceilings.
SIERRA WILLIAMS STAFF WRITER
Condos
The condo at 200 Ocean Crest Drive, Unit 146, in Palm Coast sold on Nov. 15 for $689,000. Built in 2007, the condo is a 4/4 and has 2,058 square feet. It last sold in 2019 for $485,000.
The condo at 1601 N. Central Ave., Unit 403, in Flagler Beach sold on Nov. 12 for $385,000. Built in 1984, the condo is a 2/2 and has 1,215 square feet. It last sold in 2018 for $330,000.
The condo at 53 Village Circle in Palm Coast sold on Nov. 15 for $250,000. Built in 1982, the condo is a 2/2 and has 1,360 square feet. It last sold in 2019 for $175,000.
The condo at 5 Riverview Bend N., Unit 312, in Palm Coast sold on Nov. 12 for $231,000. Built in 2006, the condo is a 3/3 and has 1,636 square feet. It last sold in September 2024 for $210,000.
The condo at 22 Sherbury Court in Palm Coast sold on Nov. 14 for $180,000. Built in 1985, the condo is a 2/2 and has 1,098 square feet. It last sold in 2018 for $124,900.
Palm Coast Plantation
The house at 79 S. Riverwalk Drive sold on Nov. 14 for
$1,305,000. Built in 2017, the 3/5 house has a covered lanai, a pool and spa, a boat lift and 3,124 square feet.
Ocean Hammock
The house at 49 Ocean Oaks Lane sold on Nov. 13 for $1,265,000. Built in 2018, the house is a 3/4 and has a saltwater pool, hot tub and 3,047 square feet.
Cypress Knoll
The house at 35 Edith Pope Drive sold on Nov. 13 for $572,000. Built in 2022, the house is a 4/3 and has a screened-in saltwater pool and 2,295 square feet.
Indian Trails
The house at 1 Botany Lane sold on Nov. 12 for $550,000. Built in 2023, the house is a 4/3 and has a three-car garage and 3,130 square feet. It last sold in 2023 for $566,000.
The house at 1 Buffalo Bill Drive sold on Nov. 15 for $310,000. Built in 1987, the house is a 3/2 and has a screened-in patio and 1,269 square feet. It last sold in 2015 for $124,900.
No subdivision
The house at 26 Fariston Place sold on Nov. 12 for $594,400. Built in 2024, the house is a 4/3 and has a three-car garage and 3,000 square feet.
The house at 13 Kashmir Trail sold on Nov. 15 for $455,000. Built in 2004, the house is a 4/3 and has an in-ground pool, privacy fence and 2,856 square feet. It last sold in 2004 for $152,900.
The house at 4 Sedum Court sold on Nov. 14 for $313,000. Built in 2024, the house is a 3/2 and has 1,655 square feet.
Pine Lakes
The house at 6 White Place sold on Nov. 12 for $434,000. Built in 2003, the house is a 3/2 and has a screened-in, saltwater pool and 2,040 square feet. It last sold in July 2024 for $427,500.
The house at 44 Woodhollow Lane sold on Nov. 12 for $410,000. Built in 1992, the 3/2 house has a screened-in lanai, fenced backyard and 1,932 square feet. It last sold in 2022 for $469,000.
Palm Harbor The house at 123 Fenimore Lane sold on Nov. 15 for $335,000. Built in 1984, the house is a 3/2 and has 1,302 square feet. It last sold in February 2024 for $210,000.
Sawmill Creek
The house at 20 Oakleaf Way sold on Nov. 15 for $335,000. Built in 2023, the house is a 3/2 and has a fenced-in yard, a patio and 1,477 square feet. It last sold in 2023 for $338,000.
Flagler Beach Ocean Palm
The house at 237 Ocean palm Drive sold on Nov. 15 for $460,000. Built in 1988, the house is a 3/2 and has a circular driveway, views of the Intracoastal Waterway and 2,334 square feet.
Bunnell Grand Reserve
The house at 211 Grand Reserve Drive sold on Nov. 15 for $385,000. Built in 2019, the house is a 3/2 and has an enclosed lanai and 1,951 square feet. It last sold in 2022 for $368,000.
Toby Tobin, of gotoby.com, contributed to this report.
John Anderson home sells for $1.7 million
Ahouse at 130 John Anderson Drive along the Halifax River was the top real estate transaction for Nov. 9-15 in the Ormond Beach area. The house sold on Nov. 12, for $1,768,000. Built in 1955, the house is a 3/3.5 and has a fireplace, a pool, a boat dock, boat lift, boat house and 3,603 square feet. It last sold in 2020 for $1.4 million.
Nov. 12, for $339,990. Once built, the house will be a 4/2 and have 1,828 square feet.
Arbor Oaks
The townhome at 18 Oakwood Park sold on Nov. 14, for $219,900. Built in 1983, the townhome is a 3/2.5 and has 1,496 square feet. It last sold in 2018 for $135,000.
Country Acres
The house at 101 Rodeo Road sold on Nov. 15, for $538,000. Built in 1988, the 3/2 house has a fireplace, pool, spa and 2,190 square feet. It last sold in 2002 for $178,000.
Fiesta Heights
The house at 117 Bonita Place sold on Nov. 15, for $379,900. Built in 1965, the house is a 3/2 and has a fireplace, a pool and 1,566 square feet. It last sold in 2022 for $231,500.
Il Villaggio
The house at 69 Apian Way sold on Nov. 15, for $480,000. Built in 2019, the house is a 3/2 and has 2,105 square feet.
Ormond Forest Hills
The house at 331 Forest Hills Blvd. sold on Nov. 13, for $285,000. Built in 1961, the house is a 3/2 and has 1,4559 square feet. It last sold in 2011 for $50,000.
Ormond Station
The house to be constructed at 19 Melogold Drive sold on
Ormond Terrace
The house at 274 N. Ridgewood Ave. sold on Nov. 14, for $316,600. Built in 1957, the house is a 2/2.5 and has 1,520 square feet. It last sold in 2016 for $107,500.
Ortona
The house at 72 Kent Drive sold on Nov. 15, sold on $375,000. Built in 1959, the house is a 3/2 and has a fireplace and 1,566 square feet. It last sold in 1976 for $41,000.
River Oaks
The house at 323 River Vale Lane sold on Nov. 12, for $444,510. Built in 2016, the house is a 4/3 and has 2,160 square feet. It last sold in 2022 for $455,000.
The Trails
The house at 4 Whispering Pine Trail sold on Nov. 15, for $485,000. Built in 1979, the 5/3.5 house has a fireplace and 3,222 square feet. It last sold in 2011 for $160,000.
Tomoka Estates
The house at 1084 Landers St. sold on Nov. 14, for $329,900. Built in 1957, the house is a 3/2 and has a fireplace and 1,700 square feet. It last sold in 2020 for $235,600.
The house at 1115 Indigo Road sold on Nov. 15, for $325,000. Built in 1976, the house is a 3/2 and has a fireplace and 1,266 square feet. It last sold in 2018 for $169,000.
Whispering Oaks The house at 15 Fernery Trail sold on Nov. 14, for $520,000. Built in 1992, the house is a 3/2 and has a fireplace, a pool and 2,605 square feet. It last sold in 2003 for $260,000.
The house at 9 Fernery Trail sold on Nov. 12, for $378,000. Built in 1991, the 3/2 house has a fireplace, a pool, a spa and 2,504 square feet. It last sold in 2022 for $325,000.
ORMOND-BY-THE-SEA
Ormond Beach Plaza The house at 6 Dolphin Ave. sold on Nov. 15, for $500,000. Built in 1954, the house is a 3/2 and has a fireplace, a pool and 1,316 square feet. It last sold in 2017 for $256,000.
River Breeze Estates The house at 1250 Riverbreeze Blvd. sold on Nov. 15, for $225,000. Built in 1958, the house is a 2/1.55 and has 1,060 square feet. It last sold in 2008 for $150,000.
Seabridge The house at 37 Sea Harbor Drive E. sold on Nov. 15, for $359,500. Built in 1979, the 2/2 house has a fireplace and 1,202 square feet. It last sold in 2019 for $229,000.
Sunny Shores The house at 4 Sunny Shore Drive sold on Nov. 15, for $330,000. Built in 1958, the house is a 3/2 and has 1,040 square feet. It last sold in 2007 for $140,000.
Surfside Estates The house at 29 Surfside Drive sold on Nov. 13, for $575,000. Built in 1971, the house is a 3/2 and has a pool and 1,610 square feet. It last sold in 2016 for $250,000.
John Adams, of Adams, Cameron & Co. Realtors, contributed to this report.
BY: DR. INDIRA ALVAREZ
AT OUR FACILITY, OUR PROVIDERS USE REAL EAR MEASURES, OR REM TO PROPERLY FIT YOUR HEARING AIDS.
REM is the objective calibration of the prescription in your hearing aids. It is how we make sure that the sounds that your hearing aids produce in your ear are appropriate for your hearing loss and that speech is as clear as possible. This calibration optimizes the way your hearing aids sound. We make precise adjustments in the physical and acoustic fit so the sounds coming out of your hearing aids in your ear match your prescription, which are the levels where you will hear the best.
You will be positioned in front of a set of speakers with your hearing aids and a small probe in each ear. Your provider will play a series of calibrated sounds that include all the frequencies of speech, and program the settings in your hearing aids as they measure the output of sound from your aids. Real-ear measurements are important because they measure how a hearing aid’s volume and pitch are affected by your individual ear size and shape. Finally, we make the appropriate adjustments based on your audiogram, the response we see on the computer screen and your feedback. We also use evidence-based amplification targets to help guide our decisions as to how to set the volume of the hearing
aids. Real-ear measurements allow us to apply the hearing aid fitting to your specific ear. The result is that your hearing aid settings are accurate for the size and shape of your ear and for your hearing loss.
Our mission is to practice audiology to the gold standard of care, using evidenced-based practice
and protocols; which means we practice audiology based on information and evidence from our audiology research community. The audiology research community continuously publishes peer reviewed studies to help doctors better understand and treat hearing loss. Realear measurements have been proven by the audiology research community as the gold standard for hearing aid fitting verification.
Unfortunately, there are many hearing care providers who do not use real-ear measurements in their practice.
This results in less accuracy and satisfaction with hearing aids for many patients. We use real-ear measurements because our mission is to serve our patients by providing the best care possible. According to evidence-based practice, the best audiological care cannot be provided without the use of real-ear measurements
PALM COAST
ORMOND BEACH
JARLEENE ALMENAS MANAGING EDITOR
SPORTS
Streak busters
“The defense played really good. You could see the new confidence from having the boys back, me and Mikhail (Zysek). We have a bit of pride in ourselves right now.”
The sanctioning body said it would take proper steps with the officials association, FPC athletic director Scott Drabczyk said.
BRENT WORONOFF
ASSOCIATE EDITOR
Florida High School Athletic Association Executive Director Craig Damon informed Flagler Palm Coast High School that it reviewed the film of FPC’s final drive of its regional quarterfinal football loss to Spruce Creek and agreed that the officials made a glaring error in taking a down away from the Bulldogs, FPC athletic director Scott Drabczyk said. Drabczyk said Damon indicated
Flagler Palm Coast’s boys soccer team ends eightgame losing streak to Seabreeze.
BRENT WORONOFF
ASSOCIATE EDITOR
Flagler Palm Coast goalkeeper Teagan Paulo knew the history. His coaches made sure every player on the team knew about Seabreeze’s eight-game win streak over FPC dating back to 2016.
It was a losing streak that all four of the Bulldogs’ coaches had been a part of when they were FPC players. The last two times the teams had played — in the 2021-22 season — Teagan’s brother, Tanner Paulo, was in goal.
On Thursday, Nov. 21, the streak ended as Jack Moberly and Evan Papadakos scored second-half goals to lift FPC to a 2-0 home victory over Seabreeze.
Tanner Paulo, now FPC’s goalkeeper coach, was very happy, Teagan said.
“It was a little bit of revenge for him,” Teagan Paulo said.
FPC ended one streak and continued another. The Bulldogs have not conceded a goal at home since the 2022-23 season.
Paulo now has four clean sheets on the season as FPC improved to 4-11. The junior has allowed just one goal this season — in the 1-1 tie with Spruce Creek. He missed the Bulldogs’ 3-0 loss to St. Joseph on Nov. 7 because he is also a kicker/punter on the football team, which had a game that night.
Paulo had eight saves to preserve the win over the Sandcrabs.
“The defense played really good,” he said. “You could see the new confidence from having the boys back, me and Mikhail (Zysek, the football wide receiver and soccer defender). We have a bit of pride in ourselves right now.”
Seabreeze fell to 2-4 in Alex Perez’s first season as head coach. He last coached in 2017 when he was an assistant on the Sandcrabs’ last state championship team. He said the Sandcrabs had a gameplan against FPC that worked throughout an evenly contested first half.
“We were practicing the past few days on how to defend the very good strikers they have,” Perez said. “So, the gameplan for a half, it was perfect. We got three very good chances. Teagan the goalkeeper made a great save. We were very close.”
STEPPING UP FOR AN INJURED TEAMMATE
Paulo said he got low, got his leg on the ball and kept the score at 0-0. But with 2:12 left in the first half, Paulo left the game after taking a hard hit from a collision with a Seabreeze player and FPC’s Felipe De Campos.
Paulo was back in goal for the start of the second half, and less than two minutes in, Moberly scored his fourth goal of the season off an assist from Rami Amiri, head coach Ramtin Amiri’s younger brother.
“It was probably the best possible start we could have had to the second half which fueled us for the rest of the game, because, to be honest, I think we were in complete control in the second half,” Ramtin Amiri said. “The first half was kind of even; they had a couple of chances. But in the second half, we were phenomenal and everyone was working from minute one to 40.”
The following day, the Bulldogs announced that Moberly has committed to play soccer next season at Toccoa Falls College in Georgia.
Moberly and fellow senior Aron Binkley each scored 19 goals for the Bulldogs last season. They expected to battle for the scoring lead again, but Binkley tore an ACL a week before preseason and recently underwent surgery.
“My heart breaks for those kids. My heart breaks for those seniors.”
SCOTT DRABCZYK, FPC athletic director
the FHSAA would “take proper steps” with the Lakeland Officials Association assigned to the Nov. 15 game. The Bulldogs knew that would be the best they could hope for after the officials’ call took away their chance of advancing in the state playoffs.
“(FPC Principal Bobby Bossardet) wrote a letter to the FHSAA,” Drabczyk said. “It said we’re really proud of the way our team handled themselves on Friday. We’re disappointed in what happened. And they brought
“He’s a very crucial player and he knows that,” Ramtin Amiri said. “But he still has a role on the sideline, even though he can’t play. The players have a purpose to play now. They played for him and he’s here to support them, and some players are stepping up.”
Papadakos sealed the deal with his first goal of the season in the 28th minute of the second half. The senior has returned to the Bulldogs after spending the past two seasons at a soccer academy in Argentina, Ramtin Amiri said.
Perez said the Sandcrabs made mistakes on the backline on each of the Bulldogs’ goals.
“We have a very young team, but a lot of talent,” Perez said. “We need to put those pieces together. It’s going to take time, but we’re getting there, little by little.”
Seabreeze, long a state powerhouse, is coming off its first losing season since 2010. The Bulldogs’ win over the Sandcrabs was their first since 2015. Seabreeze outscored FPC 34-5 during its eight-game winning streak. Ramtin Amiri played in FPC’s 6-1 win over Seabreeze in 2015, but he also played in the Bulldogs’ 8-1 loss on his senior night in 2017.
“All of our coaches are (FPC) alumni, so we all have had an experience on what it’s like to lose to them,” Amiri said. “I was on the last team that beat them, but I was also on the team that almost got (mercyruled) by them the year they won a state title. But all of us had the bad, sour taste in our mouths of losing to them. So we wanted to make sure that didn’t happen again. I let the boys know, ‘I don’t want to go into (Thanksgiving) break with a loss in the back of our minds.’ So, we made sure we didn’t do that.”
Seabreeze will be back in action on Dec. 3 at Matanzas, while FPC will try to win its fourth straight on Dec. 2 at DeLand.
back to us that they’re going to take proper steps.
“They watched the video and they saw what everybody else saw, that they missed a down. There’s not much that could be done after the fact, but they’re going to take the steps that they need to or can do through the officials association.”
Trailing 36-35 with 19 seconds left in the game, FPC was lined up for third down with 7 yards to go. Before starting the clock, the officials had the marker changed to fourth down. The Bulldogs had no timeouts remaining and had no choice but to try to convert a first down. They came up a few yards short and the Hawks took over possession and ran out the clock.
With its third down taken away, FPC was denied the chance to attempt a game-winning field goal
or try to score a touchdown. Spruce Creek advanced to the regional semifinals, where it lost to Region 1-7A top seed Lake Mary, 52-32, on Friday, Nov. 22.
“We’re limited,” Drabczyk said.
“Again, I go back to the kids. My heart breaks for those kids. My heart breaks for those seniors. We had kids here past midnight (after the game), sitting at midfield. So at the end of the day, it is sports, right? Unfortunately this is super polarizing because it happened in the last 35 seconds of the game in the region playoffs.
“We’re more disappointed for our kids than we are anybody else because of how they played all year. But I’m super proud of them on how they handled the really tough situation. They handled it with class.”
FPC coach Daniel Fish hugs senior Jesse Shirley after the Bulldogs’ 36-35 loss to Spruce Creek in the Region
quarterfinals on Nov. 15. Photo by Brent Woronoff
FPC’s Dylan Hardesty.
Seabreeze’s Liam Piazza.
FPC defender Brian Jenkins.
FPC goalkeeper Teagan Paulo (center) recorded a clean sheet against Seabreeze.
Seabreeze’s Rocco Dall’Orto. Photos by Brent Woronoff
TEAGAN PAULO, FPC goalkeeper
SIDE LINES
on Nov. 21 at the Villages High School.
Williams also placed third in the traditional competition (clean and jerk and bench press). She had totals of 305 pounds in Olympic and 315 pounds in traditional.
Williams also completed a clean sweep, setting all five school records in her weight class by benching 145 pounds. She also broke her own school record in the snatch with a 135-pound lift.
FPC placed sixth out of 22 schools in both competitions.
Madeline Brinker and A’mani Nelson also scored points for the Bulldogs at the tournament.
Brinker placed fourth in Olympic competition and fifth in traditional in the 110-pound class. She lifted an Olympic total of 200 pounds and a traditional total of 205 pounds. Nelson placed seventh in traditional at 199 pounds with a 245 total.
Email brent@ observerlocalnews.com
Bulldogs coach Pete Hald collects win No. 535
Flagler Palm Coast girls soccer coach Pete Hald won his 535th game on Friday, Nov. 22, as the Bulldogs defeated DeLand 7-1 at Sal Campanella Stadium.
Senior captain Erin Hughes scored three goals and assisted on another for FPC, which improved to 4-2-1, 1-0-1 in the Five Star Conference. Hald is in his 34th season with the Bulldogs. He started the girls soccer program at FPC in 1991.
Hald is a member of the Florida Athletic Coaches Association Hall of Fame. His FPC teams have won nine district titles and have advanced to the district finals 25 times. They advanced to the regional champion-
ship five times and to the final four once.
Before the season, Hald said his goal is to continue coaching until 2029 when his son Jacob will graduate from high school.
Four other players scored for the Bulldogs during their coach’s latest milestone victory: Ivy Chen, Hailey Sammons, Katherine Ouellette and Lacie Clay. Chen, Sammons and Ouellette also had assists. FPC led 3-0 at halftime.
The Bulldogs travel to Neptune Beach Fletcher on Tuesday, Nov. 26 and returns home on Dec. 3 to face University.
Pirates’ boys soccer team improves to 4-1
The Matanzas boys soccer team defeated St. Joseph Academy 2-1 on Nov. 22. Sebastian De Leon and Jonathan Costa each scored a goal for the Pirates, who improved to 4-1. Entering their home game with Fleming Island on Monday, Nov. 25, six different players have scored a total of nine goals for the Pirates with Robert Cerasi, Costa and Christian Reyes scoring two goals apiece. Goalies Brandon Tavares and Jackson Grace have combined to allow four goals in five games. The Pirates host Seabreeze on Dec. 3 and Mainland on Dec. 6.
Matanzas
girls win streak snapped
The Matanzas girls soccer team fell to 4-2 after losing a home match to Menendez, 3-2, on Nov. 21. The Pirates had won four in a row entering the game. Kaylin Henthorn leads the team with five goals. Siena Gutierrez has scored four goals. The Pirates return from Thanksgiving break with three straight road games before hosting Jacksonville Sandalwood on Dec. 12. They are scheduled to visit Flagler Palm
FPC’s Marlee O’ Fallon (left) battles with a DeLand player. Photos by Brent Woronoff
Pete Hald won his 535th game as FPC’s girls soccer coach. File photo
Tocoi Creek surges past Matanzas in Pirates’ home opener
BRENT WORONOFF ASSOCIATE EDITOR
With Matanzas center Alex Davis out of the lineup, 6-foot-5 forward
La’Darien Baker picked up the slack, but for the second time in three games, depth was an issue for the Pirates as they fell to Tocoi Creek in their home opener, 63-46 on Friday, Nov. 22.
“We kind of ran out of gas a little bit,” said Eric Guerrero, Matanzas’ first-year boys basketball coach.
Baker scored 19 points, pulled down 10 rebounds and blocked five shots. Nathaniel Perry also scored 19 points for Matanzas, but TJ Boone (3
points) and freshman Jamel Guerrero (5 points) were the only other Pirates to score.
Matanzas (1-2) trailed by four at the half and tied the score at 24-24 early in the third quarter before the Toros (3-0) closed out the quarter with a 20-4 run to take a commanding 44-28 lead.
Baker, who displayed his athleticism with a block at the rim in the fourth quarter, is just beginning to realize his potential, Coach Guerrero said.
“I think he needs to know how good he is,” Guerrero said of the junior. “I think once he understands that, he could be a force on the floor and have that confidence and be a huge threat for us.”
Perry, who led the Pirates with 20 points in their 56-50 win against Father Lopez on Nov. 20, scored eight of his 19 points against Tocoi in the fourth quarter before fouling out.
“It slowed us big time,” Guerrero said of Perry’s foul trouble. “I think he’s a great floor general. He takes care of the basketball and he can score from all over the floor.”
The Pirates struggled from long range, hitting just 1 of 12 attempts from beyond the 3-point arc.
Guerrero said it will be an internal decision on when Davis will return.
The Pirates travel to Daytona Beach to play DME Academy Blue on Nov. 25 and then return home Dec. 3 for a game against St. Augustine.
Matanzas junior Nathaniel Perry (2) scored 19 points. Photo by Brent Woronoff
Matanzas freshman Jamel Guerrero runs the offense.
of the agenda, along with any meeting materials available in an electronic format, may be obtained at https://tomokacdd.com/. The meeting is open to the public and will be conducted in accordance with the provisions of Florida law for community development districts. The meeting may be continued to a date, time, and place to be specified on the record at such meeting. There may be occasions when Board Supervisors or District Staff may participate by speaker telephone. Any person requiring special accommodations at the meeting because of a disability or physical impairment should contact the District Manager’s Office at least fortyeight (48) hours prior to the meeting. If you are hearing or speech impaired, please contact the Florida Relay Service by dialing 7-1-1, or 1-800-955-8771 (TTY) / 1-800955-8770 (Voice), for aid in contacting the District Manager’s Office. Each person who decides to appeal any decision made by the Board with respect to any matter considered at the meeting is advised that person will need a record of proceedings and that accordingly, the person may need to ensure that a verbatim record of the proceedings is made, including the testimony and evidence upon which such appeal is to be based. Vivian Carvalho District Manager Nov. 28 24-00438F
Betty and I ( Michael Struble, D.C.)
Chiropractic
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Dr. Struble has been in contact with Dr. Davis at Davis Chiropractic. He is located here in the West Pointe Plaza. Dr. Davis has agreed to take our patient charts. We will provide patient records to him and they will be available at his office when we officially close the office. His address is as follows: Davis Chiropractic Center, 381 Palm Coast PKWY, SW, Unit #2, Palm Coast, FL. 32137, 386-264-6800 Our years here at Palm Coast Chiropractic Clinic have been filled with many rewarding experiences and memorable patients! If you have any issues or questions, please feel free to contact our office 386-445-6565 Nov. 28, Dec. 5/12/19 24-00456F
NOTICE OF ACTION IN THE CIRCUIT COURT OF THE SEVENTH JUDICIAL CIRCUIT, IN AND FOR FLAGLER COUNTY, FLORIDA. CASE No. 2024 CA 000525 MORTGAGE ASSETS MANAGEMENT, LLC, PLAINTIFF, VS. THE UNKNOWN HEIRS, BENEFICIARIES, DEVISEES, GRANTEES, ASSIGNORS, CREDITORS AND TRUSTEES OF THE ESTATE OF ALPHONSE P. FRALLICCIARDI A/K/A ALPHONSE FRALLICCIARDI A/K/A AL FRALLI (DECEASED), ET AL.
DEFENDANT(S). To: THE UNKNOWN HEIRS, BENEFICIARIES, DEVISEES, GRANTEES, ASSIGNORS, CREDITORS AND TRUSTEES OF THE ESTATE OF ALPHONSE P. FRALLICCIARDI A/K/A ALPHONSE FRALLICCIARDI A/K/A AL FRALLI (DECEASED)
RESIDENCE: UNKNOWN LAST KNOWN ADDRESS: 12 Clement Ct, Palm Coast , FL 32137 YOU ARE HEREBY NOTIFIED that an action to foreclose a mortgage on the following described property located in Flagler County, Florida: LOT 39, BLOCK 12, COUNTRY CLUB COVE, SECTION 16, PALM COAST, ACCORDING TO THE PLAT THEREOF AS RECORDED IN MAP BOOK 6, PAGES 81 THROUGH 86, INCLUSIVE, PUBLIC RECORDS OF FLAGLER COUNTY, FLORIDA, AS AMENDED BY INSTRUMENT RECORDED IN OFFICIAL RECORDS BOOK 35, PAGE 528, OF THE
FIRST INSERTION
PUBLIC NOTICE OF SALE NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that the undersigned intends to sell the personal property described below to enforce a lien imposed on said property under The Florida Self Storage Facility Act Statutes (Section 83.801 - 83.809). The undersigned will sell by competitive bidding at lockerfox. com on Thursday the 19th day of December, 2024 at 10:00 AM. Said property is iStorage, 2303 N State St, Bunnell, FL, 32110 Jennifer Yeadon: Totes, TV, bikes. Ashley Murray: Totes, guitars, amplifiers, bicycles. Suzanne Szulc: Furniture, TV, Organ/Piano. Ray McCall: Totes, rims, AC window unit. All purchased items are sold as is, where is, and must be removed within 48 hours of the sale. Purchases must be paid for at the time of purchase by cash or credit/ debit card per facility policy. Sale subject to cancellation in the event of settlement between owner and obligated party. Nov. 28, Dec. 5 24-00452F
PUBLIC RECORDS OF FLAGLER COUNTY, FLORIDA. has been filed against you, and you are required to serve a copy of your written defenses, if any, to this action, on Tromberg, Morris & Poulin, PLLC, attorneys for Plaintiff, whose address is 600 West Hillsboro Boulevard, Suite 600, Deerfield Beach, FL 33441, and file the original with the Clerk of the Court, within 30 days after the first publication of this notice, either before 30 days after first publication or immediately thereafter, otherwise a default may be entered against you for the relief demanded in the Complaint. This notice shall be published once a week for two consecutive weeks in the Business Observer. If you are a person with a disability who needs any accommodation in order to participate in this proceeding, you are entitled, at no cost to you, to the provision of certain assistance. Please contact Court Administration at 386-257-6096 , 101 N Alabama Ave., Ste D-305, DeLand, FL 32724 at least 7 days before your scheduled court appearance, or immediately upon receiving this notification if the time before the scheduled appearance is less than 7 days; if you are hearing or voice impaired, call 711.
Date: 11/22/2024 Tom Bexley Clerk of the Circuit Court (SEAL) By: /s/ Margarita Ruiz Deputy Clerk of the Court Tromberg, Morris & Poulin, PLLC attorneys for Plaintiff 600 West Hillsboro Boulevard, Suite 600 Deerfield Beach, FL 33441 Our Case #: 24-001211/2024 CA 000525/ PHH Nov. 28; Dec. 5, 2024 24-00279G
OF FORECLOSURE SALE IN THE CIRCUIT COURT OF THE SEVENTH JUDICIAL CIRCUIT IN AND FOR FLAGLER COUNTY, FLORIDA GENERAL JURISDICTION DIVISION Case No. 2020 CA 000056 U.S. Bank Trust National Association, not in its individual capacity but solely as owner trustee for RCF 2 Acquisition Trust, Plaintiff, vs. THE UNKNOWN HEIRS OR BENEFICIARIES OF THE ESTATE OF EDWARD ZEGILLA, DECEASED, et al., Defendants. NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN pursuant to the Final Judgment and/or Order Rescheduling Foreclosure Sale, entered in Case No. 2020 CA 000056 of the Circuit Court of the SEVENTH Judicial Circuit, in and for Flagler County, Florida, wherein U.S. Bank Trust National Association, not in its individual capacity but solely as owner trustee for RCF 2 Acquisition Trust is the Plaintiff and THE UNKNOWN HEIRS OR BENEFICIARIES OF THE ESTATE OF EDWARD ZEGILLA, DECEASED; LINDA ZEGILLA; Lisa Kullack; Edward Zegilla; Jon Zegilla; PALM POINTE 1 CONDOMINIUM ASSOCIATION, INC.; PALM POINTE MASTER ASSOCIATION, INC. are the Defendants, that Tom Bexley, Flagler County Clerk of Court will sell to the highest and best bidder for cash at, www.flagler.realforeclose.com, beginning at 11:00 AM on the 7th day of February, 2025, the following described property as set forth in said Final Judgment, to wit: UNIT 11M, PHASE II, OF PALM POINTE 1, A CONDOMINIUM ACCORDING TO THE DECLARATION OF CONDOMINIM THEREOF, RECORDED
INSERTION
FIRST INSERTION
Notice Under Fictitious Name Law
According to Florida Statute Number 865.09
NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that the undersigned, desiring to engage in business under the Fictitious Name of Flagler Home Inspections located at 11 Clark Lane, in the City of Palm Coast, Flagler County, FL 32137 intends to register the said name with the Division of Corporations of the Department of State, Tallahassee, Florida. Dated this 19th day of November, 2024 Palm Coast Outdoor Services, LLC Nov. 28 24-00455F FIRST INSERTION NOTICE OF OFFICE CLOSURE
NOTICE OF ACTION IN AND FOR FLAGLER COUNTY, FLORIDA CASE NO.: 2024-CA-000373
Plaintiff: SCALABLE RES, LLC, a Virginia limited liability company.
Defendant: KYLE OWENS, an individual.
TO: KYLE
PENDENS MUST FILE A CLAIM WITHIN SIXTY (60) DAYS AFTER THE SALE.” SEE FLORIDA STATUTE 45.031(2)(f).” IF YOU ARE A PERSON WITH A DISABILITY WHO NEEDS ANY ACCOMMOCATION IN ORDER TO PARTICIPATE IN THIS PROCEEDING, YOU ARE ENTITLED, AT NO COST TO YOU, TO THE PROVISION OF CERTAIN ASSISTANCE. PLEASE CONTACT THE ADA PHONE LINE AT (386) 257-6096; AT LEAST 7 DAYS BEFORE YOUR SCHEDULED COURT APPEARANCE, OR IMMEDIATELY UPON RECEIVING THIS NOTIFICATION IF THE TIME BEFORE THE SCHEDULED APPEARANCE IS LESS THAN 7 DAYS, IF YOU ARE HEARING OR VOICE IMPAIRED, CALL 711. FRANK, WEINBERG & BLACK, P.L. Attorneys for Plaintiff 7805 S.W. 6th Court Plantation, Florida 33324 Telephone: (954) 474-8000 atulloch@fwblaw.net By: ASHLEY R. TULLOCH Fla. Bar #107102 November 21, 28, 2024 24-00274G
SUBSEQUENT INSERTIONS
FL 32301-1329 (850) 488-4197
National Affordable Housing Act (NAHA), in accordance with Section 288 (42 U.S.C. 12838), as amended, to undertake a project known as Phoenix Crossings located at the North Intersection Hwy 100 and North Bay Street, Bunnell, Flagler County, Florida. The proposed development is for the construction of 28 Garden Apartments comprising of two (2)-residential buildings two (2)-stories high. Construction costs are estimated at $10,201,872 to be partially funded with HOME in an amount up to $6,250,000. The project is anticipated to have 30 Project Based Vouchers which will be generated through The Flagler County Housing Authority. The Flagler County Housing Authority will submit a request to the HUD Office of Public Housing for the release of Project Based Voucher assistance from the Section 8 Housing Choice Vouchers Program under the Multifamily Assisted Housing Reform and Affordability Act of 1997 (42 U.S.C. 1437f). FINDING OF NO SIGNIFICANT IMPACT
The Florida Housing Finance Corporation has determined that the project will have no significant impact on the human environment. Therefore, an Environmental Impact Statement under the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969 (NEPA) is not required. Additional project information is contained in the Environmental Review Record (ERR) on file at Florida Housing Finance Corporation, 227 North Bronough Street, Suite 5000, Tallahassee, FL 32301-1329, and may be examined or copied weekdays 9:00 AM to 4:00 PM. PUBLIC COMMENTS
Any individual, group, or agency may submit written comments on the ERR to Florida Housing Finance Corporation, 227 North Bronough Street, Suite 5000, Tallahassee, FL 32301-1329, Attention: Ms. Angeliki Sellers or via e-mail at ERRComments@floridahousing.org. All comments received by December 6, 2024, will be considered by the Florida Housing Finance Corporation prior to authorizing submission of a request for release of funds. Comments should specify which Notice they are addressing.
ENVIRONMENTAL CERTIFICATION
The Florida Housing Finance Corporation certifies to the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) that Ms. Angeliki Sellers, in her capacity as Chief Finan-
cial Officer with delegated Certifying Officer duties of the FHFC, consents to accept the jurisdiction of the Federal Courts if an action is brought to enforce responsibilities in relation to the environmental review process and that these responsibilities have been satisfied. HUD’s approval of the certification satisfies its responsibilities under NEPA and related laws and authorizes and allows FHFC to use Program funds.
OBJECTIONS TO RELEASE OF FUNDS
HUD will accept objections to its release of fund and the Florida Housing Finance Corporation’s certification for a period of fifteen (15) days following the anticipated submission date or its actual receipt of the request (whichever is later) only if they are on one of the following bases: (a) the certification was not executed by the Certifying Officer of the Florida Housing Finance Corporation; (b) the Florida Housing Finance Corporation has omitted a step or failed to make a decision or finding required by HUD regulations at 24 CFR Part 58; (c) the grand recipient has committed funds or incurred costs not authorized by 24 CFR Part 58 before approval of a release of funds by HUD; or (d) another Federal agency acting pursuant to 40 CFR Part 1504 has submitted a written finding that the project is unsatisfactory from the standpoint of environmental quality. Objections for HOME funding must be prepared and submitted via email in accordance with the required procedures (24 CFR Part 58, Sec. 58.76) and shall be addressed to Ms. Tonya R. Madison, CPD Representative, U.S. Department of Housing & Urban Development, Community Planning & Development Division, Jacksonville Field Office, 400 W. Bay Street, Suite 1015, Jacksonville, FL 32202. Objections to the use of Project Based Vouchers must be prepared and submitted in accordance with the required procedures (24 CFR Part 58, Sec. 58.76) and shall be addressed to Janice Rodriquez, Director, Office of Public and Indian Housing, U.S. Department of Housing & Urban Development and sent via email to janice.rodriquez@hud.gov. Potential objectors should contact the HUD Jacksonville Field Office via email to Tonya.R.Madison@hud.gov or Janice.Rodriguez@hud.gov to verify the actual last day of the objection period. Ms. Angeliki Sellers, Chief Financial Officer of the Florida Housing Finance Corporation Nov. 21/28 Dec. 5
Holiday Guide 2024
Events in Flagler and Volusia counties to get you in the spirit.
JOIN US IN OUR MISSION TO
REMEMBER the fallen those that gave all HONOR those that serve and their families
WREATHS
TEACH our children the value of freedom
FRIDAY, NOV. 29
FESTIVAL OF NATIVITIES
When: 1-7 p.m.
Where: Shepherd of the Coast Church, 101 Pine Lakes Parkway S., Palm Coast
Details: See this display of many nativity sets — new, vintage and more. Free event.
SATURDAY, NOV. 30
FOURTH ANNUAL
HOLIDAY MARKET
When: 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Where: Flagler County Fairgrounds, 150 Sawgrass Road, Bunnell
Details: Shop from over 100 local vendors. There will be food trucks and appearances by Santa. Free entry.
PALM COAST TREE
LIGHTING CEREMONY
When: 6-9 p.m.
Holiday Events
City Council and the Rotary Club of Flagler County for a night of festivities. There will be food trucks, Santa’s Village, a Letters to Santa station, limited edition 25th anniversary Christmas ornament giveaway and kids crafts. Photos with Santa will also be available.
SUNDAY, DEC. 1
SUNDAY WITH SANTA AT TOMOKA OUTPOST
When: 11 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Where: Tomoka Outpost inside Tomoka State Park, 2099 N. Beach St., Ormond Beach
byterian Church, 105 Amsden Road, Ormond Beach
Details: The Daytona Beach Choral Society will perform parts of the Christmas portion of Handel’s Messiah, plus the Hallelujah chorus. A traditional carol sing-along and complimentary refreshments will follow the concert. A $10 donation is suggested. Visit daytonabeachchoralsociety. com/events.
Details: Kick off the holiday season with a local vendor market. Santa and Mrs. Claus will be taking photos from 5-7 p.m. The tap room will be pouring beers and serving homemade food all day. A tree lighting will be held at 7 p.m.
WEDNESDAY, DEC. 4
HOLIDAY GARLAND WORKSHOP When: 9:30 a.m. to noon
AMERICA
Saturday, December 14th, 11:45pm
Flagler Palms
Memorial Gardens
511 Old Kings Rd South Flagler Beach
Volunteer to help or attend the ceremony
Volusia Memorial Park 550 N. Nova Rd. Ormond Beach
Where: Central Park at Town Center, 975 Central Ave., Palm Coast
Details: The city of Palm Coast invites the community to its tree lighting ceremony, which will kick off Palm Coast Rotary Club’s 19th Annual Fantasy Light Festival. Join Santa Claus, the Palm Coast
Details: Santa will be making a visit to Tomoka Outpost inside Tomoka State Park. He will arrive on an Ormond Beach Fire truck at 11 a.m. Bring your wish list and take a photo with him. Local vendors will also offer samples of their products for sale. All ages welcome. Park entry fee of $5 per vehicle applies.
HANDEL’S MESSIAH WITH DAYTONA BEACH CHORAL SOCIETY
When: 3:30-5:30 p.m.
Where: Ormond Beach Pres-
Where: The Casements 25 Riverside Drive, Ormond Beach
Details: The Ormond Beach Garden Club invites the public to a holiday garland workshop. Workshop costs $30. RSVP by Nov. 30. Call Sharon at 203-668-6413 or email sharchar@gmail.com, or Zetta
Mackenzie McMannus, 7, (far right) and the Ramirez siblings, Kayla, 17, Olivia, 13, and Collin, 11, with Santa Claus at the Tree Lighting Ceremony in 2023. Photo by Sierra Williams
at 386-301-0366 or email znginflorida@aol.com.
OUR GIFT TO THE COMMUNITY
When: 7 p.m. on Wednesday and Thursday, Dec. 4-5
Where: News-Journal Center, 221 N. Beach St., Daytona
Beach
Details: Enjoy this annual tradition featuring classic carols, holiday hits and performances by the Daytona State College Music Department. Free, but tickets are required. Pick them up at the News-Journal Center Box Office only. Donations will be collected for the Falcon HOPE Center.
THURSDAY, DEC. 5
HOLIDAY CONCERT
When: 6-8 p.m.
Where: The Stage at Town Center, 1500 Central Ave., Palm Coast
Details: The city of Palm Coast Parks and Recreation is hosting a holiday concert featuring Ashley Estevez. Bundle up and listen to holiday classics. There will be food trucks and vendors.
FRIDAY, DEC. 6
THE CASEMENTS GUILD’S
46TH ANNUAL
CHRISTMAS GALA
When: 5-9 p.m. on Friday, Dec. 6, and 12-5 p.m. on Saturday and Sunday, Dec. 7-8
Where: The Casements, 25 Riverside Drive, Ormond
Beach
Details: Celebrate the Christmas season with The Casements Guild at its 46th annual Christmas Gala. This year’s theme is “Hollywood Holiday.”
On Friday, Dec. 6, Santa will arrive at 6 p.m. There will be a tree lighting, live music, food trucks, train rides, crafts and more. On Saturday and Sunday, enjoy visits with Santa, entertainment, the sale of handmade crafts and a visit to the tree gallery. Free.
WONDERLAND AT ONE
DAYTONA: JINGLE
ALL THE WAY
When: 4:30-7:30 p.m.
Where: One Daytona, 1 Daytona Blvd., Daytona Beach
Details: Attend the second Wonderland at One Daytona event, to include free family friendly activities like a live DJ, face painting stations, holiday characters and a Santa letter writing station. The CLASH Endurance Jingle Jog 5K will begin at 5:30 p.m. during the
event. To register for the race visit, https://clashendurance. com/pages/jingle-jog-5k.
HOLIDAY AT THE BEACH
When: 6-9 p.m.
Where: Veterans Park, 101 N. Ocean Shore Blvd., Flagler Beach
Details: Kick off the holiday season in Flagler Beach with a lighting of the park at 6 p.m., followed by live music and entertainment from Wadsworth Elementary School first grade Students, Old Kings Elementary School, the Indian Trails Middle School Band, the Matanzas High School “Blue Steel” and the Flagler Palm Coast High School Band.
Details: Join the Seawolf Privateers for a festival pancake breakfast with Santa and Mrs. Claus. All of the sales and donations will benefit the Seawolf Privateers to help bring Christmas joy to foster and displaced children in the community. Tickets cost $10 for adults and $5 for children under 12. Visit seawolfprivateers.org/fundraisers.
DENTS AND WHEELS FOR TOYS
When: 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.
Where: Fields BMW of Daytona, 1050 N. Tomoka Farms Road, Daytona Beach
Details: Take part in this Toys for Tots drive. Bring in a new, unwrapped toy (no Dollar Tree toys, please) and Fields BMW of Daytona will fix a dent or wheel damage on your car at no cost. All toys will be donated to Volusia Toys For Tots. Certain restrictions apply. One dent on one panel, up to 2 inches in diameter, or up to a 2 inches horizontal crease, or one alloy wheel with cosmetic damage up to 8 inches, per toy. No broken paint can be present and it’s not available on composite material.
HOLIDAY AT THE BEACH PARADE
When: 1-3 p.m.
Where: North 6th Street to South 6th Street, Flagler Beach
Details: This free parade is presented by the Rotary Club of Flagler Beach. Santa will
jump from the sky at 1 p.m. to start the parade. There will be a party at the fire station from 2-4 p.m.
VOLUSIA CIVIC BALLET’S
‘THE NUTCRACKER’
When: 2 p.m. and 7 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 7; and 2 p.m.
Details: Volusia Civic Ballet will present “The Nutcracker” ballet for three performances, featuring a cast of over 70 performers from dance studios across Central Florida. This event is also a collaborative community project with professional guest artists from the Cincinnati Ballet appearing during the Saturday evening and Sunday matinee shows. The Saturday matinee show is a condensed family series. A Children’s Sugar Plum Tea is offered on Saturday and Sunday prior to the shows. Tickets to the show start at $25. The tea tickets are $25 per child as an addon. Visit civicballetvc.org.
SUNDAY, DEC. 8
CHRISTMAS GALA TEA
When: 3 p.m.
Where: The Casements, 25 Riverside Drive, Ormond
Beach
Details: Join The Casements Guild for a holiday tea. Tickets cost $40 per person. Call Arlene Halsey at 386-673-5312.
CANDY CANE LANE
When: 5-8 p.m.
Where: Calvary Christian Center, 1687 W. Granada Blvd., Ormond Beach
Details: Experience the magic of Christmas at Candy Cane Lane at Calvary. Each child will receive a free stocking and have a chance to decorate it. There will also be a live outdoor Christmas concert with CWL Live. Take a ride on a holiday train and enjoy snow in Florida. There will also be face painting, a petting zoo, food trucks, hot chocolate and a Christmas trunk or treat.
THURSDAY, DEC. 12
AN OLDE ENGLISH
CHRISTMAS WITH HERMAN’S HERMITS AND PETER NOONE
When: 7 p.m.
Where: Fitzgerald Performing Arts Center, 5500 S.R 100, Palm Coast
Details: Celebrate the holiday season with this show starring Peter Noone, lead singer of the 1960s pop band “Herman’s Hermits.” Tickets start at $64. Visit flaglerauditorium.org.
FRIDAY, DEC. 13
A CHARLIE BROWN
CHRISTMAS
When: 10:30 a.m. and 6 p.m. Friday, Dec. 13; 10:30 a.m. Saturday, Dec. 14; and 1 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 15 Where: News-Journal Center, 221 N. Beach St., Daytona Beach
Details: See a performance of “A Charlie Brown Christmas.” The 10:30 a.m. time slots only
include the show. Tickets cost $10 for adults; $5 for children and students. The 6 p.m. Friday and 1 p.m. Sunday shows feature a “Holidazzle Buffet Dinner.” Enjoy a seasonal buffet in the grand lobby while being entertained by a host of holiday songs and surprises.
Tickets cost $50 for adults and $25 for children. Visit ci.ovationtix.com/36384.
TOY DROP
When: 12-3 p.m.
Where: Seacoast Bank parking lot, 175 W. Granada Blvd., Ormond Beach
Details: Help fill the Ormond Beach Police Department’s MRAP with toys to benefit the Ormond Beach Police Athletic League. Presented with the Ormond Beach Chamber of
SEE EVENTS PAGE 4C
Charlie Davila checks out the presents underneath the tree during The Casements Guild’s 45th annual Christmas Gala in 2023. File photo by Jarleene Almenas
Commerce. Please donate unwrapped toys.
CHRISTMAS IN BUNNELL
When: 5-9 p.m.
Where: Joanne King Park, 300 Citrus St., Bunnell
Details: The city of Bunnell is hosting this free Christmas event featuring music and performances by local school dance teams, visits with Santa and Mrs. Claus and appearances by Christmas characters for photos. There will also be food trucks, a s’mores table, snow, games, crafts and activities.
Details: Bring a chair or blanket and enjoy a showing of “Elf,” rated PG. Movies are weather-sensitive. Call 6763216 for rainout information.
LATE NIGHT AT THE BOOKSHOP:
HOLIDAY EDITION
When: 7-10 p.m.
Where: Fern & Fable Books, 51 W. Granada Blvd., Ormond
Beach
Details: Celebrate the holidays with extra shopping hours, special offers, sales and gift sets.
SATURDAY, DEC. 14
HOLIDAY IN THE GARDENS 2024
When: 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Where: Washington Oaks
Gardens State Park, 6400
N. Ocean Shore Blvd. Palm
Coast
Details: Come out for a holiday celebration featuring arts and craft vendors, a plant sale, food, live music and kids activities. The Friends of Washington Oaks Gardens State Park will be collecting new, unwrapped toys and non-perishable food items for local families. Entry into the park costs $5 per vehicle. Call 386-446-6783.
STARLIGHT PARADE
When: 6 p.m.
Where: Central Park in Town Center, 975 Central Ave., Palm
Coast
Details: Cap off Palm Coast’s 25th anniversary celebrations with the Starlight Parade at Town Center. The parade will be a celebration of community traditions, featuring numerous community partners. There will be food trucks, a letters to Santa station, face painting and kids crafts.
Santa will arrive on a Palm Coast Fire Engine.
33RD ANNUAL HOME FOR THE HOLIDAYS PARADE When: 6:30 p.m.
Where: West Granada Boulevard, between Ridgewood Avenue and Beach Street, Ormond Beach
Details: Themed “Santa’s Toyland,” this 1.5-mile long holiday parade will include walkers, vehicles and floats. The parade will start at Division Avenue and Ridgewood Avenue, go north until turning east at West Granada Boulevard. The parade will then turn south on Beach Street and end in front of City Hall. There will be a tree lighting at City Hall Plaza at 6 p.m.
SUNDAY, DEC. 15
HOLIDAY TOUR OF HOMES When: 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Encore Baton and Dance take part in the 32nd annual HOme for the HOlidays Christmas parade. File photo by Michele Meyers
Beach Historical Society invites the community to tour some of the finest homes on Ormond’s beachside. There will be a mix of historic and modern homes, and the tour will include The Casements. Enjoy refreshments at the Anderson-Price Memorial Building as you shop local craft vendors. Santa will also make an appearance. Tickets cost $50 in advance. Visit ormondhistory.org.
ORMOND BALLET’S UNDER THE MISTLETOE: THE NUTCRACKER AND MORE
When: 3 p.m.
Where: Ormond Beach Performing Arts Center, 399 N. U.S. 1, Ormond Beach
Details: Ormond Ballet will perform scenes from “The
Where: Cochise Waterway south to Grand Haven gazebo, Palm Coast
Details: See box on this page.
MONDAY, DEC. 16
REINDEER ROUND UP
When: 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday, Dec. 16, to Friday, Dec. 20
Where: The Casements, 25 Riverside Drive, Ormond
Beach
Details: Take part in this festive scavenger hunt at The Casements. Explore the grounds and search for hidden reindeer, then visit the front office to claim a prize.
WEDNESDAY, DEC. 18
CHRISTMAS MARKET When: 4-8 p.m.
Where: European Village, 101 Palm Harbor Parkway, Palm Coast
Details: Enjoy live music and local vendors, as well as a visit from Mr. and Mrs. Claus.
THURSDAY, DEC. 19
HOLIDAY AT THE CASEMENTS
When: 6 p.m.
Where: The Casements, 25 Riverside Drive, Ormond
Beach
Details: Attend this year’s “Holiday at The Casements” featuring music, self-guided tours of The Casements, and free desserts. There will be special appearances by Santa and Mrs. Claus.
SLEIGHBELLS AND THE ’60S
When: 7 p.m.
Where: Fitzgerald Performing Arts Center, 5500 S.R 100, Palm Coast
Details: PBS star Chris Ruggiero’s new Christmas
PALM COAST HOLIDAY BOAT PARADE
The 41st Palm Coast Holiday Boat Parade will be held on Sunday, Dec. 15. The parade, sponsored by the Palm Coast Yacht Club, has been the largest lit boat parade in Florida and the third largest in the country.
The parade will begin at 6 p.m. at the Cochise Waterway and head south to the Grand Haven gazebo, where boats will turn and return to their home ports.
The city of Palm Coast is providing a free shuttle service between the Palm Coast Community Center, the Daytona State College parking lot and the European Village. Buses will run from 4 p.m. to 9 p.m.
Boats in the parade will be accompanied by the Marine Unit of the Flagler County Sheriff’s Office, the
Florida Fish and Wildlife Service and TowBoatUS.
The parade will be held in honor of Sheriff’s Office Dispatcher Megan Burton, who will serve as a grand marshal. She was named Florida Sheriff Association Dispatcher of the Year.
“Reel Freedom,” a 46foot Ocean Yacht Sportfish, will serve as the parade’s lead boat. The vessel is owned and captained by Palm Coast resident Justin Wilmot and will carry the grand marshals, including Flagler County Sheriff Rick Staly and Randy Stapleford, commissioner of the Florida Inland Navigation District, which is providing a major grant to the parade to support advertising.
The event will be broadcast live by Flagler Broadcasting on KOOL-FM, 100.9.
FRIDAY, DEC. 20
JINGLES & JAMMIES
SATURDAY,
JAN.
Boat from the 2023 boat parade. File photo by Sierra Williams
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